| LIVE PERFORMANCES BY EASY LEE |
| Total Mixes: 3, Duration: 01:24:20 |
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A summarised biography of Easy Lee created using Google Gemini in January 2026 can be found at the bottom of this page |
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Click on the 'Release Title' to view the full details of each release |
| Release Category | Release Title | Label | Catalogue # | Year | Mixer(s) | Mix Title | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live Old School Hip Hop | N.Y.C. Live Throwdown | Madison Square Garage | MSGCD8001 | 2007 | Easy Lee with Lovebug Starski, The Treacherous Three & Spoonie Gee | TREACHEROUS THREE FIRST ANNIVERSARY @ DISCO FEVER (1981) | 00:40:11 |
| Live Old School Hip Hop | N.Y.C. Live Throwdown | Madison Square Garage | MSGCD8001 | 2007 | Easy Lee with The Treacherous Three | CLUB NEGRIL (18 FEBRUARY 1982) | 00:32:06 |
| Live Old School Hip Hop | Rap Archives Legends Volume 1 | Sounds Of Urban London | BLIPMV100021 | 1996 | Kool D.J. A.J. with Busy Bee & Easy Lee with Kool Moe Dee | LIVE AT HARLEM WORLD, MANHATTAN N.Y., 1981 | 00:12:03 |
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Easy Lee (Theodore Dotson) was a foundational figure in early hip-hop, serving as the DJ for the legendary group The Treacherous Three. While the group's emcees (Kool Moe Dee, Special K, and LA Sunshine) were famous for their lyrical dexterity, Easy Lee provided the technical backbone that allowed them to innovate. Here is a summary of his contributions and history: Who was Easy Lee? Easy Lee was the "quiet force" behind The Treacherous Three, one of the most influential "Old School" hip-hop groups formed in the late 1970s in Harlem, New York. In an era where the DJ was the leader of the group, Lee was respected for his steady hand and ability to manage the complex transitions required for the group's "fast-rap" style. Key Contributions to DJ History The "Human Beat" Pioneer: Easy Lee was instrumental in helping the group transition from the standard party-rocking style of the 70s to the more sophisticated, rapid-fire lyrical style of the 80s. The "New Look" of the DJ: Unlike the flashy, showmanship-heavy style of Grandmaster Flash, Easy Lee was known for his precision and reliability. He focused on maintaining a flawless rhythm so the emcees could execute their synchronized routines. Studio Innovation: He was one of the first DJs to move from the park jams to the recording studio. He performed on seminal tracks like "The New Rap Language" (1980), which is widely cited as the birth of the "fast-flow" technique in rap. Career Highlights Formation Joined The Treacherous Three in 1978, helping them become the primary rivals to Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five. Enjoy! Records Provided the cuts and beats for the group's early hits on Bobby Robinson's legendary Enjoy! label. Beat Street Appeared in the iconic 1984 film Beat Street, performing the song "Santa's Rap," which cemented the group's place in global pop culture. Legacy in Hip-Hop Evolution Easy Lee represents the era of the "Group DJ." His role was to be the architect of the soundscape, ensuring the equipment stayed running and the beat never dropped while the emcees interacted with the crowd. His technical support allowed Kool Moe Dee to become one of the first true "lyricists," changing the focus of hip-hop from the DJ's turntables to the MC's microphone. "Easy Lee was the backbone. Without a DJ who could keep that precise timing, the fast-rapping style of The Treacherous Three wouldn't have been possible." |