Doug Lazy - Let it roll story - 2012
Seen this single before? The single that I am referring to is known as "Let it Roll"; and it comes from the area that is Washington. D.C, USA via the hand of a DJ/Producer whose real name is Gene Finley.
However, the world knows him by his DJ/PRODUCER name which is Doug Lazy. And the single that we are going to discuss is - "Let It Roll".
During the year 1989, Doug Lazy bought out a track called "Let it Roll" which rocked both sides of the Atlantic. Quite literally. It was a must-have 12-inch record that you had to have in your box if you called yourself a DJ.
Both within the US and in Europe nightclubs/discos that valued themselves had to make sure that their DJs were going to play this when they opened up. It was that huge and influential single on both sides of the Atlantic on the club scene.
Doug Lazy was originally known to the locals (the Washington D.C, USA locals that is!!!) as the Radio DJ that is/was "Mean Green".
Even though he was at this moment of his life known as a radio presenter. Doug still had musical aspirations of reaching the stars by trying his luck as a Rapper/Producer and thus putting out records.
As I have mentioned above Doug Lazy lived and worked in Washington, D.C (USA) and was known as a radio DJ/presenter.
However, under the name of Doug Lazy, he went on to record, produce, and put out to the general public a wonderful dance floor smash that many around the world still love today. That track is called "Let It Roll".
Lazy wasn't that well known with House music or within the Hip Hop music camps of 1989. However, Lazy was interested in this new fusion that had come out of the two camps which were being labeled as "Hip House".
Lazy was curious enough to give it a try via "rapping" over House music beats that were to turn heads within the music industry. Hardcore rappers of the time were not amused by this new fusion that was House music and hip-hop music.
Fans of Hip Hop music stalwarts such as Public Enemy, Run DMC, and Boogie Down Productions thought this fusion of the two musicians to be a joke.
It seemed that if anyone was going to give this new fusion music a chance then it would be the House music fans.
However, it wasn't just the House music fans that liked it.
Everyone liked it. To prove this it went to number 1 for 1 x week in August 1989 on the USA Billboard, Club Playlist chart.
Many record stores that specialized in dance music sold out of it within weeks of its release here in England it has to be said.
This single would lead Doug Lazy to bring out two more Hip House tracks. These in turn would see him having 2 more number 1 x Billboard Club Playlist singles after this track, and an album release.
However, it is this track that he will be forever known for which is the "Let it Roll" track.
Even today people were around at this time (1989) when this record first appeared.
Many still remember the opening lyrics to the song which were...
Those famous Opening lines of "Let it Roll" again are (*Please see below)
Go Go Go Go Go,
Let it roll, let it roll.
Let it roll, let it roll.
Give me a mike,
I get hiked.
Doug Lazy in spotlight, ron spiel.
I get il
and watch the records turn like a windmill.
I'm on track,
when I hit this as a matter of fact.
I don't miss this target,
I score like a marksman.......
Breakdown and I'm sparking like a jump the cable,
cos I'm able to rock this label.
And I'm on with triple-swifter
I'm the 5th gear, I'm the shifter You can gift this like a present,
bass is loud, but never unpleasant.
So when the music's got your soul, yo,
just let it roll, let it roll.
However, it must be noted that Doug Lazy's "LET IT ROLL" wasn't the first track that was to champion the music of Hip House. Artists such as Fast Eddie and Tyree Cooper were among the first to do this.
The first tracks that Doug Lazy heard himself regarding the new music craze came from these two artists.
In fact, narrowing it down even further Doug Lazy has stated in interviews that he has done in the past that it was Tyree Cooper's "Turn up the Bass" track that turned his head.
How it came to be made (The "Let it Roll" track) according to Doug Lazy himself, was when he was playing around with the Mantronix track called "King of the Beats".
He was working a particular section/or beat within this track and he allowed for that section to be "looped" so that the "On air Mc" could talk over.
Whilst he was still looping this part of the record known as the "Bell loop" section.
Another On Air DJ walked in and enquired what the beat he had just looped for the "On Air MC that he was working for, which allowed for him to speak over.
He also informed Doug that the station had already had 3 x callers, who called in asking the same question.
After he and the "On Air Mc" had finished their show together. Doug Lazy stayed behind and used that "Bell loop" from the track that is called "King of the Beats" by Mantronix and fused it together with a House beat and created the music of the track that is "Let it Roll".
Doug Lazy was helped further by another mix DJ at the same station who is known as Charles Dixon, He pointed Doug Lazy over to the right person to get this to get on Vinyl.
The person that Charles Dixon pointed Doug over to was Vaughan Mason.
Vaughan Masonhad made the classic record that is "Bounce, Rock and Roll" and "Jack the Groove" and also lived in Washington D.C, USA at the time.
This was recorded at Vaughan Mason's studio and the lyrics were applied as well at the same time.
This record was to be released on Vaughan Mason's label that is/was Grove Street Records
* The full interview was done by Mervin Malone with Doug Lazy on the 11th of April 2006 via this website - Mervin Malone Interview with Doug Lazy in 2006
Doug Lazy's "Let Roll" track was one of the last big tracks of 1989. It was just one of the tracks of my generation.
Most people who heard this track when it came out could tell you where they were in the Summer of 1989.
Please give me your comments about this track and where you were when you heard it. I'd love to hear your stories about this.
In fact please click on the YouTube Video again to recollect your memories of this great single.
