World Class Wreckin' Cru

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World Class Wreckin' Cru was an American electro group from Compton, California, that helped shape early rap in the Los Angeles area. The group is best known for linking to N.W.A, since Dr. Dre and DJ Yella would later become part of that famous group.

Origins and members
- Also known as The Cru or The World Cru Bangers.
- Active mainly from 1983–1987 and again 1990–1991.
- Founding and early work were led by Alonzo Williams (Lonzo), who ran the Eve After Dark nightclub.
- The Wreckin’ Cru started as Lonzo’s road crew and became a recording group called World Class.
- Two local DJs, Antoine “Yella” Carraby and Andre “Dr. Dre” Young, became the group’s original Mix Masters. Other members over time included Michel’le, Cli-N-Tel, Shakespeare, Dr. Rock and The Unknown DJ.

Career highlights
- WCWC performed around Los Angeles, even opening for New Edition, and built a strong underground following.
- Lonzo created the Kru-Cut label and released music through Macola Records, starting with the Wreckin’ Cru singles “Slice” and “Surgery.”
- By 1985, Kru-Cut produced World Class’ debut album, World Class. The group then earned a major deal with CBS/Epic Records.
- Cli-N-Tel left the group, and Shakespeare stepped up as a main MC as they released the second album, Rapped in Romance.
- The group released songs with Michel’le, who sang on some tracks.
- In 1988, the WCWC single “Turn Off the Lights,” featuring Michel’le, became their biggest hit, reaching #54 on the Billboard Black Singles chart. They were known as a dance/romance act with songs like “Surgery,” “Juice,” “Cabbage Patch,” and “Lovers.”

Connection to N.W.A and later events
- Dre grew tired of Lonzo’s direction and started pursuing his own sound. He worked on side projects for local entrepreneur Eazy-E.
- Ice Cube, Dre’s cousin, joined Dre in a project that included other collaborators like Sir Jinx; one early demo was “She’s a Skag.”
- Dre’s 1986 arrest for missed court appearances led Lonzo to refuse bail a third time. Eazy-E bailed him out in exchange for Dre’s work with Eazy’s Ruthless Records, which helped form N.W.A.
- Lonzo released a solo LP in 1990 titled Phases in Life. Shakespeare later pursued becoming a pastor.