(AllHipHop News) One of N.W.A’s unsung earliest champions is preparing to release his memoirs, just as HBO’s new documentary series “The Defiant Ones” about Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine debuts.
Alonzo “Lonzo” Williams was instrumental in the explosion of West Coast hip-hop with his group The World Class Wrecking Cru and can take the credit for being the first person to discover Dr. Dre, Ice Cube and Eazy E.
In addition to his appearance in Allen Hughes’ “The Defiant Ones,” Lonzo is doubling down on his contributions for history’s sake, with his new audiobook/memoirs, total “N.ot W.ithout A.lonzo.”
“My inclusion in ‘The Defiant Ones’ shines the light on many things I have been talking about for years,” Lonzo explained to AllHipHop.com. “When Allen Hughes first contacted me about being interviewed, we were supposed to spend about two hours together. Two hours turned into six as he was amazed by the history, anecdotes and insights I could share with him. I have nothing but gratitude for him and HBO for taking note of my role and input at the beginning of what has blossomed into one of music’s largest genres. It still amazes me to this day, because at the time, we had no clue that our efforts would evolve to this level.”
“N.ot W.ithout A.lonzo,” is narrated by Lonzo, whose role in Dre and the crew’s career was highlighted in the hit movie “Straight Outta Compton.”
Lonzo explained that he hopes his book reaches a new generation of Hip-Hop heads to make them understand the true purpose of HIp-Hop culture.
“Though I’m happy about the popularity of hip hop culture, I’m not thrilled with some of the elements of it,” Lonzo said. “In the early days, it wasn’t about money, gangster bravado, crime and going to jail. It was about the music and keeping it real. My message as I mentor youth is to remind them that hip hop is really a creative art form and the message in the music is very important. The more I reveal about the early days of hip hop, the more the truth is unveiled and the more likely we can get back to some of those original concepts,” cites Williams. His weekly male mentoring podcast, “Lonzo Presents G.A.M.E. (G.rown A.ss M.an E.nlightenment), is set to launch shortly.
“N.ot W.ithout A.lonzo” is available on Amazon.com.
