John “Uncle Boogie” Grant, a Bronx native, has carved out a singular place in hip-hop history. In recent years, his contributions were formally recognized with a Hip Hop Legacy Award from the Hip Hop Hall of Fame, along with a Congressional Certificate of Recognition honoring his trailblazing work as an internet radio DJ. Grant also holds a rare distinction in the culture as the first hip-hop artist to obtain an FM radio license.

Grant’s journey began in New York City, where he was immersed in the formative sounds of hip hop’s earliest innovators. Influenced by groups like Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five and the Sugarhill Gang, he started experimenting with rhyme and performance at a young age. His musical sensibilities were broad, shaped not only by hip hop but also by jazz records and a deep appreciation for poetry. As a teenager, his family relocated to Englewood New Jersey, where his creative path sharpened. While attending Dwight Morrow high school, he met Reggie “Rock” Passley, a partnership that would become central to his early career. In Englewood during the late 1970s and 1980s, the pair found themselves surrounded by established entertainers, an environment that offered both inspiration and opportunity to refine their craft.

Grant’s plans were temporarily interrupted when his father suffered a serious workplace injury, prompting him to leave college and return home to support his family. During this period, he and Passley entered a songwriting competition connected to a new horror film. Their track, “Freddy Krueger,” recorded in 1987, was selected for the original soundtrack of A Nightmare on Elm Street. The song’s success opened doors quickly, leading to a recording contract with Basement Records and the formation of the group Rock N’ Gee.

National exposure followed. Rock N’ Gee toured extensively, sharing stages with major acts such as Run-DMC and Whodini. Their momentum culminated in a deal with PolyGram Mercury Records, arranged by their manager, and the release of the single “Swing Beat.” Rebranded as Rock N’ Gee and DJ Shawn, the group produced a music video that aired on Yo! MTV Raps, cementing their place in late-1980s hip-hop culture.

As the commercial phase of his music career slowed, Grant pivoted. He trained as an automotive mechanic, a decision that led to years of work in auto shops across the country. Yet even while turning wrenches, he remained connected to music and media. In the early 2000s, he launched an internet-based platform known as TableSetter Radio, foreshadowing his later influence in digital broadcasting.

"Narrative generated by chatgpt, 5.5 , Open AI, June 3, 2026. The author provided original archival research and subsequently edited the content for historical accuracy and historiographical alignment."

“John Grant.” Howard County Historical Society, 9 Apr. 2024.

“Kokomo Radio Host Recognized by New Jersey, U.S. House of Representatives.” Kokomo Tribune, 29 Nov. 2023.