Keith Shocklee

Keith Matthew Boxley (born January 2, 1962), better known as Keith Shocklee or Wizard K-Jee, is an American hip hop producer and DJ. He was an original member of Public Enemy and The Bomb Squad. He has contributed his talent to several albums including It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back and Fear of a Black Planet. Shocklee also co-produced the singles "Bring the Noise” and "Fight The Power," which were included on Rolling Stone’s list of the “500 Greatest Songs Of All Time.”^[1]

Early life

Shocklee was born and raised in Roosevelt, New York. He was a childhood friend of rappers Chuck D and Flavor Flav.^[2]

Career

Shocklee began his career DJing at various parks, house parties and clubs in New York City during the early 1980s. His style was inspired by several Brooklyn-based DJs including Grandmaster Flowers and DJ Plumber. He also cites Fatback Band's ""King Tim III (Personality Jock)" as the pioneering rap song that triggered his interest in recording. The Bomb Squad's first songs were produced in Shocklee's mother's basement and recorded on tape and acetate. He has since gone on to work with the following recording artists: LL Cool J, Ice Cube, Janet Jackson, Sinéad O'Connor and many other big-name acts.