DJ Bobcat facts for kids

Bobby Ervin (born December 13, 1967), who is famous by his stage name DJ Bobcat, is an American DJ, songwriter, and music producer. A producer helps artists create their music, from the beat to the final sound. He is most famous for helping produce the hit song "Mama Said Knock You Out" for LL Cool J in 1990. This song was so popular that it won a Grammy Award and is still a classic in hip hop music.

Throughout his career, DJ Bobcat has worked with many famous people in the music industry, including Clive Davis, Russell Simmons, and Madonna. He was also part of a production group called L.A. Posse with his friend DJ Pooh.

Musical Journey

Starting as a Teen DJ

DJ Bobcat has been a part of the hip hop world since he was a teenager in the early 1980s. He started his career in Los Angeles, where he was a DJ for some of the first big names in West Coast music. He played music for groups like Run–D.M.C., Whodini, and Ice-T.

When he was only 15, he didn't have his own professional DJ equipment. He even had to stand on a milk crate to be tall enough to reach the turntables at parties! He learned how to use a professional mixer from another DJ named Chris "The Glove" Taylor.

Uncle Jamm's Army

DJ Bobcat was part of a group called Uncle Jamm's Army. The group's founder, Roger Clayton, would travel to the East Coast to find the newest and most exciting hip hop records. He would bring them back to Los Angeles, where DJ Bobcat and another DJ, The Egyptian Lover, would be the first to play them. They played at huge dances that attracted over 15,000 people, helping to make new songs popular.

The California Catt Crew

Because he was so popular, DJ Bobcat was booked for parties months in advance. He was so busy that he decided to create his own group of DJs called the California Catt Crew. He taught them his special scratching techniques and helped them get jobs as DJs all over Southern California.

KDAY Radio and the Mix Masters

DJ Bobcat helped create the world's first 24-hour hip hop radio station, 1580 KDAY. Before KDAY, most radio stations played R&B music and very little rap. DJ Bobcat came up with the idea for the "Mix Masters," a team of DJs who would play continuous mixes of hip hop songs on the radio. This new format was a huge success and inspired other radio stations across the country to start playing more hip hop.

Working with Def Jam Records

Creating a Hit Album

After becoming a star on the West Coast, DJ Bobcat and his crew, L.A. Posse, moved to New York City. There, they started working with Def Jam Records, one of the most important hip hop record labels. They produced several hit songs for the rapper LL Cool J, including "I'm Bad" and "Go Cut Creator Go." These songs were on the album Bigger and Deffer, which sold over 3 million copies.

The Story of "I Need Love"

DJ Bobcat wrote the melody for LL Cool J's famous song "I Need Love" when he was just 16 years old. The song became one of the first rap ballads to become a major hit. It has been sampled, or re-used, in many other songs by artists like Jermaine Dupri and Usher.

The Famous Def Jam Tour

LL Cool J asked DJ Bobcat to be the DJ for the famous Def Jam Tour. DJ Bobcat not only performed as the DJ but also helped design the stage show. The tour was a massive success, featuring some of the biggest names in hip hop at the time, including Public Enemy, DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, and Run–D.M.C.. They performed in huge, sold-out arenas across the United States and Europe.

Solo Album and Recognition

In 1989, DJ Bobcat released his own album, Cat Got Ya Tongue. He toured the country to perform his music, sharing the stage with popular acts like New Edition and Jody Watley.

For creating a positive album, the Atlanta City Council gave him a special honor, recognizing him as a good role model for the community.

Discography

A discography is a list of recordings an artist has worked on. Below are some of the hit singles and albums DJ Bobcat helped produce.

Selected Albums He Worked On

• Bigger and Deffer (1987)
• Act a Fool (1988)
• Cat Got Ya Tongue (1989)
• Mama Said Knock You Out (1990)
• Death Certificate (1991)
• Kizz My Black ... (1992)
• 5150: Home 4 tha ... (1992)
• The Predator (1992)
• Strictly 4 My ... (1993)
• 14 Shots to the Dome (1993)
• All Eyez On Me (1996)
• Based on a True Story (1997)
• Ruthless for Life (1998)
• Beware of Dog (2000)
• Hip Hop Is Dead (2006)