Grandmaster Caz is a pioneering legend who can genuinely be credited as one of the inventors of rap. Caz is perhaps best known as the writer of Big Bang Hank's rhyme in Rappers Delight. The lyrics were stolen from him and he has never been credited or paid a dollar for writing the words to possibly the most famous rap record ever. Caz went on to form the legendary Coldcrush Brothers whose party rocking style would greatly influence many of rap's commercial breakthrough artists. In 2012 Caz became the unexpected star of Ice-T's seminal rap movie Something From Nothing: The Art Of Rap. In the movie Caz receives props from many of the cast, including Ice-T, Rev Run, Rakim and Eminem, who sight him as one of the godfathers of Rap. As a result of the movie Caz's career is enjoying a significant renaissance. Notable for his extraordinary penmanship Caz's favorite rhymes and his take on why he penned it, are reproduced from his notebooks and published for the first time in this Limited Edition book.
Grandmaster Caz is a pioneering architect of hip-hop culture and widely recognized as one of the true inventors of rap. His legacy begins in the Bronx, where his lyrical brilliance and charisma helped shape the DNA of what would become a global phenomenon. Perhaps most infamously, Caz was the uncredited ghostwriter behind Big Bank Hank's verse in the groundbreaking 1979 hit Rapper's Delight by The Sugarhill Gang-the first commercially successful rap record. Though his words reached millions, Caz was never paid nor properly acknowledged, a moment that remains one of hip-hop's most legendary injustices.Undeterred, Caz cemented his status as a foundational figure in the culture by forming the Cold Crush Brothers-a group whose unmatched stage presence, harmony-driven routines, and crowd control became the blueprint for the next generation of emcees. Their influence echoed through the early careers of icons like Run-D.M.C., LL Cool J, and countless others who would go on to break rap into the mainstream.In 2012, Caz captivated a new generation of fans with his standout role in Ice-T's critically acclaimed documentary Something From Nothing: The Art of Rap. The film features tributes from hip-hop royalty including Ice-T, Rev Run, Rakim, and Eminem, all of whom praise Caz as a lyrical godfather and cultural cornerstone. His appearance sparked a powerful resurgence in appreciation for his contributions and gave long-overdue flowers to one of the genre's unsung heroes.Known for his extraordinary pen game and razor-sharp delivery, Caz's rhymes are a masterclass in wordplay, rhythm, and storytelling. Now, for the first time ever, a curated collection of his favorite verses-handwritten straight from his original rhyme books-is being published in this exclusive Limited Edition release. Each verse is accompanied by Caz's personal reflections, revealing the stories, intentions, and raw emotion behind the lines that helped build a culture.
