Fantasia: SouthSide Jamaica’s First Hip Hop club, circa 1977
“Go down, go down, just like a disco clown. If your name is Kenny, Jack Benny, Jack Benny”
Ahh my youth – and the great call and responses that DJ Woody Wood (RIP) from SouthSide Jamaica, Queens recited while “rocking the mic” at Fantasia “way back in the day.” To keep it all real and authentic with y’all, DJ Woody Wood recited many of DJ Hollywood’s rhymes, so I cannot definitely attribute these writings to him, or not. Nevertheless, one fact that I can state with no uncertainty is that DJ Woody Wood and his Woody’s Angels would keep Fantasia “rocking.” It’s no big deal that DJ Woody Wood recited some of DJ Hollywood’s rhymes, many DJs and MCs did, “back in the day.” After all, DJ Hollywood is the Master MC and is credited as the first Hip Hop DJ and MC – a true originator in the culture. Still, I must give DJ Woody Wood “props” for his talent as a DJ, MC and Party Rocker. He represented for years as a SouthSide Jamaica, Queens Pioneer DJ and MC, he is surely missed. Continue to sleep in peace Legend.
Fantasia opened in the summer of 1977, and Cipher of Sounds (DJ crew) who was also from SouthSide Jamaica, Queens were the first crew to “rock the house,” at it’s grand opening. DJ Understanding God, est. 1975 aka The Original Legendary DJ Cipher Sounds and Tony Moore shared that experience with me several years ago during an interview. He describes looking out from the DJ booth and seeing an estimated 1000 teenagers on the dance floor. I was there that memorable night and Cipher of Sounds “rocked” that night and every night afterwards when they played.
DJ Divine, est. 1971 was a regular DJ at Fantasia. He was previously a founding DJ of Cipher of Sounds (DJ crew) and now was the main attraction in Infinity Machine (DJ crew). Infinity Machine was founded by Michael Goode and he owned the largest sound system in SouthSide Jamaica, Queens at that time. According to the documentary “Founding Fathers” https://youtu.be/1G13bR0B0-8 directed, written and produced by Ron Lawrence and Hassan Sonny Pore, Goode’s father purchased $20,000 of Cerwin Vega speakers including turntables, mixers, and amplifiers from Crazy Eddie electronic store which launched this legendary crew into the world of New York City massive sound system DJing.
DJ Divine of Infinity Machine was a major draw at jams and parties, his name on a party flyer always helped promoters pack the house. We young B-Girls and also the B-Boys stood in front of the DJ booth to watch him spin or we did the latest dances from the Freak, to the Spank to the Flintstone. Real old heads know that DJ Divine’s signature break-beat was “I Can’t Stop by John Davis & The Monster Orchestra and he would “cut that joint up.”
Fantasia brought Fly Girls, Fly Guys, B-Girls and B-Boys from all 5 boroughs, upstate and Long Island to SouthSide Jamaica, Queens to party in authentic Hip Hop club for teenagers. I remember buying refreshments, but I don’t recall alcoholic beverages ever being sold at Fantasia.
It was mandatory in those days for bonafide DJ crews to “rock” at Fantasia and also for crews from the Bronx, New York City like Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five and The Funky Four Plus One More to perform at this historic spot.
DJ Hollywood “rocked” everytime he showed up at Fantasia. If you were having a house party in SouthSide Jamaica you’d better cancel if DJ Hollywood was playing because your party would definitely be empty. My childhood home was about 5 blocks from this party spot, so I had easy access to walk there with my homegirls and homeboys.
Bad A$$ Disco, Sound Expereince, Infinity Machine, Phase III, Jamaica Sounds, Professor & Company, DJ Ratski & DJ Monkey, Supreme Sounds and Divine Sounds were other SouthSide Jamaica DJ crews who played at Fantasia between 1977-1981.
Fantasia will always be remember as the preeminent Hip Hop club in SouthSide Jamaica, Queens. I encourage all young’uns to speak to SouthSide Jamaica Hip Hop Pioneers about the breakbeat DJing, MCing, B-Girling and B-Boying at this unforgettable spot.
SouthSide Jamaica Hip Hop Legends let’s have a Fantasia reunion real soon.
Rock On 4Ever - #SouthSideWeOutSide #SSJQ #QueensGetTheMoney #QGTM
Written entirely by:
Eva Marie King, BA, MS
p/k/a Queen MC Eva Marie King, MS, est. 1970
Friday, August 23, 2019
http://www.Instagram.com/EvaMarieKing @EvaMarieKing
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