Customer Reviews

It's Just Begun: The Epic Journey of Dj Disco Wiz, Hip Hop's First Latino Dj

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Let me begin by saying Disco Wiz has been a close personal friend and mentor of mine for a few years now. When he was at the alpha of formulating this book, he and I had a conversation about what he was in the process of creating. He would never get into the details about any of it, but the recurring theme of the talk we had was I would be "shocked and amazed". I have to tell you... THAT was a complete understatement!

I finally received my copy yesterday, started reading late last night, fell asleep with it, woke up this morning with the book lying on my chest, to which I continued reading it until I completed it earlier this afternoon. It was definitely one of the most compelling and intense literary journeys I have EVER experienced! Hands down. I laughed, I cried, pondered, laughed some more, thought out loud, read certain sentences over and over, cried again... the ride was incredible.

Hats off to powerHouse Books, and to Ivan Sanchez for his role in making sure the visual aspect of every scenario remained consistant throughout as well. I have developed a whole brand new level of love and respect for my friend Disco Wiz. He is beautifully human, and I'm elated that the world will now be able to share what he has so eloquently taken time to deliver to us. I highly recommend this piece of art for ALL walks of life. Peace.

-John (DJ/MC Oxygen)

DJ Disco Wiz, the first Latino DJ, the creator of the "mix plate", etc....I've known about DJ Disco Wiz for years now and have communicated with him via Myspace but never heard or read anything in popular media where the man had expressed himself on his contributions to Hip-Hop and his life story, other than what his "brother from another" Grandmaster Caz had stated in books and interviews and also in the classic book "Yes Yes Y'all" by Jim Fricke and Charlie Ahearn, the director of "Wild Style". That was until one day a few months ago where I saw an update on Twitter from Wiz where he said a book was coming out...I waited for the book as if it were an unreleased Big Pun album, to be honest. Once I got in touch with Wiz, we kept a line of communication open and I got a copy of the book. The book is everything that I expected and more...

The life of this man should be made into a movie! He speaks about his rough upbringing, physical abuse, violence in the streets, living in poverty in the war zone that was the South Bronx in the 1970s, falling in love, his introduction to Hip-Hop and how it changed his life and his friendship with Grandmaster Caz, which has endured over 30 years of their lives. He also speaks on his experiences in prison and how a brother named "Peace" helped him understand his Latino background and the struggles endured by our ancestors and the proud achievements as well. There are many other stories and like one of the other comments stated, the book is like a roller-coaster and there's no other way to describe this man other than as a survivor, plain and simple. Bouts with cancer, losing his child only to reunite with her as an adult and re-establish a beautiful relationship, finding the woman of his life and that helped him follow the right path in life, and I can't forget the cooking. The man had a long and distinguished career in the culinary arts, which stands out in his book as well. Oh yeah, there's spoken word as well!

In the end, I recommend "It's Just Begun: The Epic Journey of DJ Disco Wiz, Hip-Hop's First Latino DJ" to anyone interested, from those who want to know what it is like to be a true survivor, anyone who wants to know about the early days of Hip-Hop from a "soldier" on the front lines of Hip-Hop, and anyone like me, who appreciates the effort, blood, sweat and tears that people like Wiz put into the culture, because to me he represents the essence of Hip-Hop just as much as DJ Kool Herc and Bambataa and Flash and DJ AJ and Busy Bee and whoever you can name. He was just as much an integral part of the early scene in the Bronx as any of those other cats. Much respect to you, Wiz, your life should become a movie, hopefully Hollywood realizes it soon and that they won't need to embellish anything in a script, their screenwriters just need to read your book.

Couldn't put the book down. I'm not very knowledgeable about the era or the music in particular (I'm a musician in a different genre) but Louis' story was totally enthralling. Thanks for sharing the pain and the good times.

First let me say that from the time I heard this book was coming out last year, I was very much intrigued. The wait was not a disappoint. DJ Disco Wiz and Ivan Sanchez did a slammin' job! Awesome! As a reader, I have found it difficult lately to read a book where the author paints an actual picture to the story he/she is telling. Not here! Every word, every sentence gave me a visual and that kept me on my toes. I read some of it while riding the subway and the bus and I missed my stop on both at least 8 times each! Literally. I did not want to put it down for nothing! This may sound weird but this book is so good, I didn't want to finish! But I did, and I am currently reading it again! Much respect to DJ Disco Wiz. His story is motivational. It had me in tears. I appreciate all he has done for Hip Hop. I appreciate the fact that he shares his story with the world. Uplifting. Much love & respect. I highly recommend this book to anyone with an open mind. Peace.

Contrary to the current slate of rap videos, hip hop culture runs deeper than money, chicks and whips. In fact, it even goes beyond the performance and visual arts. To those of us born and raised in a certain time and place, it permeates our existence, all the way down to our social DNA, so whether you're a DJ, an MC, a b-boy/girl or graff artist -- or have just been around them for most of your life -- everything you do will define you as part of this generation.

For DJ Disco Wiz, that meant much more than getting butts out their seats at Bronx hip hop jams in the 1970s. It also meant an all-out battle to survive not only those Boogie Down streets, but also that mindset that, while helping him survive against the wolves, also turned him into a predator that not even he could control.

These days, the typical rapper's Alger-esque tale of woe has become so commonplace that it's gone beyond the cliche and into the realm of parody. Unfortunately, hyperbole disguised as truth has become the latest opiate of the hip hop masses. This is NOT that rap song.

This is a story about a boy who became a man -- not because of record contracts or national tours or the adoration of video chicks everywhere, but by strapping up in a battle for his life against his hardest, most relentless adversary of all: himself.

This story, is bigger than hip hop.

"It's Just Begun" is one of the most compelling books I've read. The struggles of and in depth look at the beginnings of the Hip Hop culture and movement are fascinating. Disco Wiz's tale had me laughing and cringing in the same paragraph. The life he endured to become the contributor and man he is today is an epic, life changing story.

There were times I actually put the book down and didn't want to read it anymore because of how difficult it was to read about the situations he experienced, but it's such a fascinating story that I had to finish reading it...in less than 24 hours.

"It's just begun: The epic Journey Of Disco Wiz, Hip Hop's First Latino Dj" is a must-read, not only for Hip Hop historians, but avid book readers the world over.

How fortunate I was to get a preview of Its Just Begun, several months ago. After reading just a snippet, it was torture waiting for my copy.

The emotion in this book is tangible. The real life experiences, even greater than one can conceive. Only life's warriors make it out of adversity, like this.

Anybody, from any walk of life, will find superb value in Wiz's memoir. I have refreshed hope in what determination and the human spirit is capable of. The book had me smiling, (and tearing), and I'm STILL looking forward to reading it again. I always do a double-take on a classic.

Its Just Begun is a long-awaited addition to my collection of books from Hip-Hop's pioneers.

Hats off to DJ Disco Wiz and Ivan Sanchez.

Go get it.

WOW!! Louies( ooops..whiz"s.book needed to be snatched out my hand by my wife because i didnt pay her no attention from the moment i got my copy!I relived my past in such a short time..all his friends, crimees,ex girl friends are all my child hood friends..I shared the same street corners and friends with whiz but learned so much more about him thru this book.damm we shared the same pains deaths...prison stints,not being accepted because i too chose to be nuetral in prison and not hang with all latinos.I am recommending this book to all my co workers and friends..they may not relate to all the names and places as well as i did but im sure its gonna be like the latino version of boyz in da hood to them...lol...stay up disco whiz!!...youve only just begun!!!......dj robbie rob 183rd!!

The story of DJ Disco Wiz is highly suggested as required reading for anyone soul searching trying to redeem themselves and overcome any type of Adversity in life, let it be physically or mentally. DJ Disco Wiz holds back no punches and removes all safety nets as he takes us on an intimate journey of his life.

The book is guaranteed to endorse a positive change in anyone that is truly dedicated to talking the talk and walking the walk as Wiz had to do on his quest to finding his inner peace on earth.


Warning: All Avid Book readers, you will need a box of Kleenex to finish this book! You will feel his pain, struggles, Will Power, success, etc ... as he takes us on an emotional joyride, which concludes with a sense of peace and a smile on your face.

In one sentence, DJ Disco Wiz will rip out your heart. In the next, his observation of the circumstance will bring tears of laughter. How he navigated off the path of destruction testifies to the character of his spirit and the power love has to heal.

His book is a song of the unsung, caliing out to the thousands of kids who search for direction and adults who've suffered for years from violent hands. Wiz was that lost boy, and was that traumatized adult. His harrowing story makes his kindness, generosity and wisdom that much more remarkable. See Wiz mentor a troubled teen and you'll understand caring. See him perform on stage and you'll understand passion and innovation. Read his book and you'll understand tenacity and hope.

The story of DJ Disco Wiz isn't over. His life has just begun.