Egyptian Lover

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Gregory James Broussard (born August 31, 1963), known professionally as Egyptian Lover, is an American musician, vocalist, producer, DJ, and graphic artist. He was an early figure in the Los Angeles electro and hip hop scenes of the 1980s and is widely recognized for his pioneering use of the Roland TR-808 drum machine in rap and dance music.<ref name="LAWeekly2015">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="FACT2018">Template:Cite web</ref> His original pen-and-ink drawings on 12-inch LP sleeves have been offered by Sotheby's and covered by independent music press.<ref name="SothLot94">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="VF2020">Template:Cite web</ref> He was the subject of the 2025 book Egyptian Lover: On the Nile, a limited-edition volume documenting his career and the early Los Angeles electro scene.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Early life

Broussard was born and raised in the Central-Alameda area of South Central Los Angeles, part of the historic South Los Angeles district and a major hub for early West Coast hip hop and electro-funk scenes during the late 1970s and early 1980s.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> During that period, as part of the Los Angeles Unified School District's court-ordered desegregation plan, students from his neighborhood, including Broussard, were bused to James Monroe High School in the San Fernando Valley.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> While in high school, Broussard began experimenting with a cassette deck and turntable to make what he later described as "Pause-Button Mix Tapes". He sold these to classmates, gaining an early reputation as a party DJ and performer.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

He adopted the stage name "Egyptian Lover" in the early 1980s, drawing on ancient Egyptian imagery, mystique, and romantic iconography that circulated in early hip hop, electro, and club culture.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="LAWeekly2015" /><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Career

Beginnings: Uncle Jam's Army and the Radio Crew

Broussard began performing in 1982 as a member of Uncle Jam's Army, a Los Angeles party and performance collective that organized large-scale dances at venues such as the Los Angeles Sports Arena. Founded by Rodger Clayton (Mr. Prinze) and Gid Martin, the crew's core DJs included Broussard (The Egyptian Lover), DJ Bobcat, Bleeps, and Dave "Dr. Funkenstein".<ref name="LAWeekly2015" /> Their independent 12-inch singles, including "Dial-A-Freak" and "Yes, Yes, Yes", were among the earliest West Coast electro-rap releases distributed directly by local DJs.

In 1983, while still performing with Uncle Jam's Army, Broussard also appeared regularly at the Radio Club ("The Radio"), a Los Angeles venue that became a hub for hip-hop, dance, and DJ culture. The club brought together many of the same performers later featured in the documentary Breakin' ’n’ Enterin’, including Ice-T, The Glove, and Super AJ. For the film, these regulars were formally credited as The Radio Crew, a group created specifically for the production.<ref name="WaxPoetics2015">Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Released later that year, Breakin' ’n’ Enterin’ showcased the Los Angeles hip hop and dance scene centered on the Radio Club and its performers, with Broussard featured among the film’s principal DJs. The documentary later inspired the 1984 feature film Breakin'.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

In 1985, Broussard composed the electro soundtrack for the television film The Pilot, featuring b-boy Adolph "Oz Rock" Alvarez.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Egyptian Empire Records and 1980s output

Ticket stub for Uncle Jamm's Army and The Egyptian Lover concert, July 6, 1984
Ticket for Uncle Jamm's Army and The Egyptian Lover concert, July 6, 1984.
Ticket stub reading Rapp Extravaganza, July 12, 1987
Ticket for Rapp Extravaganza, July 12, 1987.

In 1984 Broussard founded Egyptian Empire Records, which released his own electro-rap singles and albums built around the TR-808 drum machine.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> His debut album, On the Nile (1984), included the single "Egypt, Egypt", a defining West Coast electro track.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="LAWeekly2015" />

He followed with One Track Mind (1986) and Filthy (1988). Filthy was released on NuBeat Records, a Priority Records imprint, making him the first rap artist signed to Priority Records.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Broussard also issued material under the alias Jamie Jupitor.<ref name="WaxPoetics2015" />

1990s and 2000s

In the early 1990s Broussard released Get Into It (1990), Pyramix (1993), and Back from the Tomb (1994).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He returned with Platinum Pyramids (2006), blending 1980s textures with early-2000s funk.<ref>Template:Cite interview</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He continued touring with vintage gear and the TR-808.<ref name="WaxPoetics2015" />

Revival and Stones Throw era (2010s–present)

Egyptian Lover performing at Moogfest 2014
Egyptian Lover performing at Moogfest, April 25, 2014.

Interest in his catalog resurged in the 2010s through reissues and festival appearances. In 2015 Stones Throw Records reissued "Egypt, Egypt" as Egypt, Egypt (Pyramid Edition), a Record Store Day release recreating his 1984 West Coast electro classic. The edition was pressed on triangle-shaped white vinyl with a thick black board sleeve featuring gold foil printing and magnetic 8-panel design folding into a free-standing pyramid. The package was described as a tribute to Broussard’s early electro era, backed with “Girls” – an instrumental bonus-beats version of the track from On the Nile (1984).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> That same year, Broussard released 1984 (2015) on his label.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2016 Stones Throw issued 1983–1988, a four-LP box set with a 20-page booklet housed in an all-black case with gold foil printing. The set included liner notes by music journalist, Jeff Weiss, track histories written by Egyptian Lover, and recordings sourced from the original master tapes. It featured extended and alternate versions of classic singles, curated by Peanut Butter Wolf.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> That year, under his Jamie Jupitor alias, Broussard released "Future Computer" on The Bass Academy, Vol. 2.Template:Citation needed

He followed with 1985 (2018), featuring collaborations with DJ Qbert, Cozmo D of Newcleus, and Juan Atkins of Cybotron.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="FACT2018" /> The 1985 cycle coincided with the 35th anniversary of Egyptian Empire Records.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 2020 he released Pyramix Party, a collection of newly re-recorded and remixed versions of his 1980s material.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He continued with 1986 (2020) and 1987 (2025).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He remains active as a performer and producer.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Visual art

Broussard produces hand-drawn pen-and-ink artwork on 12-inch record sleeves, often featuring Egyptian iconography, turntables, boomboxes, extraterrestrial motifs, numerology, and references to the TR-808. A set of thirty-six signed drawings was offered by Sotheby's in its September 2020 Hip Hop sale (Lot 94; estimate USD 10,000–15,000).<ref name="SothLot94" /> Contemporary music press reported on the auction, noting the inclusion of Egyptian Lover materials alongside other hip hop artifacts.<ref name="VF2020" /> Separately, the Metropolitan Museum of Art lists the 1986 video work Freak-A-Holic and the 1984 record On the Nile under the artist name The Egyptian Lover in its Modern and Contemporary Art department, indicating institutional cataloging of his creative output beyond audio releases.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Book

In 2025 Broussard was the subject of Egyptian Lover: On the Nile, a 200-page clothbound art and photo book created by curator and designer Bob Dominguez and published by Beyond the Streets. The book chronicles the rise of Los Angeles electro and hip-hop scenes surrounding Broussard’s 1984 debut album On the Nile. It features archival photographs, flyers, handwritten lyrics, and reflections from peers including Ice-T, Arabian Prince, Chris “The Glove” Taylor, Cozmo D, Moodymann, Dam-Funk, J Rocc, and David Broussard.

The first edition was limited to 808 copies, measuring 8.25 × 10.25 inches, printed by Oddi Sales, and issued with ISBN 979-8-218-73197-7. A launch pop-up event took place on September 6, 2025, with the book becoming widely available by late October 2025 through Beyond the Streets and Stones Throw’s online stores.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Musical influences and style

Broussard has cited Kraftwerk, Prince, Zapp and Roger Troutman, Afrika Bambaataa, and Dean Martin as key influences. He credited Kraftwerk’s "Numbers" as a model for TR-808–based production, Prince and Troutman for vocal and performance style, Bambaataa’s "Planet Rock" as a blueprint for electro-rap, and Martin’s phrasing for his smooth vocal tone.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Equipment

Core synthesizers and drum machines

He has worked at Skip Saylor, Encore, Rusk Sound Studios, Ameraycan, Record One, Paramount Studios, Record Plant, Larrabee Studios, Clear Lake, and other Los Angeles recording facilities. His studio work uses analog mixing desks and tape-based production methods with no MIDI sequencing.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Live performances employ Technics SL-1200 turntables and original TR-808 units, maintaining a stage format close to his 1980s shows.<ref name="WaxPoetics2015" />

Discography

Studio albums

Compilation and archival albums

  • King of Ecstasy: His Greatest Hits Album (1989, Egyptian Empire Records, an 8-track compilation covering recordings from 1984–1988 including “Sexy Style (Greatest Hits Dub Mix)”, “My House (On the Nile) (Greatest Hits Mix)”, “Egypt, Egypt (12″ Original Mix)”, and others)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • Pyramix (1993, Egyptian Empire Records, remix and compilation album featuring digitally segued versions of earlier electro tracks including "Dance", "Egypt, Egypt", "Planet E (Remix)", and "Get High (Get X’d, Get Drunk, Get Sex’d)", recorded 1983–1993)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • 1983–1988 (2016, Stones Throw Records, 4×LP box set with 20-page booklet in an all-black case with gold foil print, featuring liner notes by Jeff Weiss and detailed track history by The Egyptian Lover. Recordings taken from the original master tapes covering works from 1983–1988.)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • Instrumentals and Demos (Limited Edition) (2018, Egyptian Empire Records, limited-edition digital and collector release featuring over 30 unreleased instrumentals, bonus beats, demos, and remixes spanning recordings from the early 1980s through 2018)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • Pyramix Party (2020, Egyptian Empire Records, continuous non-stop mix album featuring newly recorded, remixed, and reimagined versions of The Egyptian Lover's classic 1980s tracks, produced with updated analog equipment and extended arrangements)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Singles and EPs

The first Egyptian Lover 12-inch records were released on Freak Beat Records. The initial 12-inch featured "Egypt, Egypt", "And My Beat Goes Boom", "What Is a D.J. If He Can't Scratch?", and "The Ultimate Scratch". The second 12-inch, "Computer Love (Sweet Dreams)" / "And My Beat Goes Boom (Long Version)", followed shortly afterward.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Both used the same catalog numbering system later continued by Egyptian Empire Records, which succeeded Freak Beat as Egyptian Lover's primary label.Template:Citation needed

  • "Egypt, Egypt" / "And My Beat Goes Boom" / "What Is A D.J. If He Can't Scratch?" / "The Ultimate Scratch" (1984, Freak Beat Records)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • "Computer Love (Sweet Dreams)" / "And My Beat Goes Boom (Long Version)" (1984, Freak Beat Records)Template:Citation needed
  • "Dubb Girls" (1985, Egyptian Empire Records)Template:Citation needed
  • "Dance" (1985, Egyptian Empire Records)Template:Citation needed
  • "Girls" / "Voices" (1985, Egyptian Empire Records)Template:Citation needed
  • "You're So Fine" / "E-Rap (Holding It Down)" / "Scratch Force One" / "The Ultimate Scratch II" (1986, Egyptian Empire Records)Template:Citation needed
  • "The Lover (Long Version) / I Want To Make Love" (1986, Egyptian Empire Records)Template:Citation needed
  • "Freak-A-Holic (Re-mix) / Livin' On The Nile (Extended Club Re-mix)" (1987, Egyptian Empire Records)Template:Citation needed
  • "The Alezby Inn (Remodeled Version)" / "Sexy Style (Sexy Ain't It?)" (1987, Egyptian Empire Records)Template:Citation needed
  • "Get Into It (12-inch Mix)" / "Dance Music (Club Mix)" (1987, Egyptian Empire Records)Template:Citation needed
  • "D.S.L.'s (Lipstick Mix)" / "I Want Cha (Pyra Mix)" (1988, NuBeat Records)Template:Citation needed
  • "Baddest Beats Around (Extended Mix)" / "Filthy (Remix)" (1988, NuBeat Records)Template:Citation needed
  • "Dial-A-Freak (10 Minute Remix)" / "Yes, Yes, Yes" – Uncle Jamm's Army featuring The Egyptian Lover (1988, Dunk Yer Funk / Freak Beat Records)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • "Let's Get It On (Long Version) / Let's Get It On (House Mix)" (1990, Egyptian Empire Records)Template:Citation needed
  • "Egypt Rave '93" / "Egypt, Egypt (Original Mix)" / "Planet E (Re-Mix)" / "Get High (Get X'd, Get Drunk, Get Sex'd)" (1993, Egyptian Empire Records)Template:Citation needed
  • "Bounce That Bootie" / "Gotta Have Ya" (1994, Egyptian Empire Records)Template:Citation needed
  • "Party" / "Dance Floor" (2005, Egyptian Empire Records)Template:Citation needed
  • "Electro Pharaoh" / "Keep It Hot (Re-mix)" (2009, Egyptian Empire Records)Template:Citation needed
  • "Egypt, Egypt" / "Girls" (2015, Stones Throw Records, limited white triangle vinyl with gold-foil pyramid sleeve)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • "Killin' It (Remix)" / "Tryin To Tell Ya" (2016, Egyptian Empire Records)Template:Citation needed
  • "I Need a Freak" / "My House on the Nile (Long Version)" (2017, Egyptian Empire Records)Template:Citation needed
  • "Seduced (ReMix)" / "Belly Dance" (2017, Egyptian Empire Records)Template:Citation needed
  • "808 Beats Volume 1" (2018, Egyptian Empire Records)Template:Citation needed
  • "Beyond the Galaxy" feat. DJ Q-bert / "5 Cent Camel Ride (Long Version)" (2019, Egyptian Empire Records)Template:Citation needed
  • "Into the Future (Model Citizens ReModel)" (2019, Dominance Electricity, from Are Friends Electro? compilation by Model Citizens, DE-030, 2×12-inch, CD, digital)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • "Freak a Holic (Alternate Universe Mix)" / "2 The Extreme (Long Version)" (2020, Egyptian Empire Records)Template:Citation needed
  • "Freaky Girl (Extended Version)" / "We The Freaks (Extended Version)" (2021, Egyptian Empire Records)Template:Citation needed
  • "Lose Control (Long Version)" / "Vocoder Jam" (2022, Egyptian Empire Records)Template:Citation needed
  • "The Freak Pack" (2023, Egyptian Empire Records, 2×12-inch double vinyl combining "I Need A Freak" / "My House On The Nile", "Freaky Girl", and "We The Freaks")<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • "Egypt, Egypt" / "Girls (40th Anniversary)" (2024, Egyptian Empire Records, remastered reissue of the 1984 release featuring a new mix of "Girls", issued in special 40th-anniversary vinyl editions with various color pressings and packaging)Template:Citation needed
  • "Emotions" / "Dirty Passionate Yell" (2024, Egyptian Empire Records)Template:Citation needed
  • "Dial-A-Freak" / "Yes, Yes, Yes" – Uncle Jamm's Army (1983, Freak Beat Records)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • "Naughty Boy" / "What's Your Sign (Of The Zodiac Baby Doll)" – Uncle Jamm's Army (1985, Freak Beat Records)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

As Jamie Jupitor

References

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Further reading

  • Dominguez, Bob (ed.). Egyptian Lover: On the Nile. Beyond the Streets, 2025. ISBN 979-8-218-73197-7.

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