THE INVINCIBLES
Hip-Hop's Elite Producer Collective
The Invincibles were a production team associated with Hurby "Luv Bug" Azor and Idol Makers. Members worked on recordings for artists in the collective.
The collective included key producers such as Steve Azor, Eric "Quicksilver" Johnson, Ron "Amen-Ra" Lawrence, and Dana Mozie, who worked across the group's recordings.
The Team
Steve Azor
Writer and Producer
Steve Azor, Herby's younger brother, worked with Idol Makers as a writer, performer, and producer.
Early Career and Songwriting:
- Co-wrote tracks including "Push It," "Shake Your Thang" (featuring E.U.), and Sweet Tee's "On the Smooth Tip" under both "The Invincibles" and "Fingerprintz" credits
- Salt-N-Pepa's first DJ after the group's transformation from Super Nature
- Worked on choreography for Salt-N-Pepa's "Push It" video and other Idol Makers groups
- Helped bring Kwamé to Idol Makers
Production and Acting:
- Production credits include Salt-N-Pepa's Very Necessary (1993) and Kid 'n Play's albums 2 Hype (1988) and Funhouse (1990)
- Appeared as a dancer in the film Stay Tuned (1992), alongside his brother Hurby and Salt-N-Pepa
- Served as composer/soundtrack contributor for the film's music
Compilations and Legacy:
Contributed to various compilations including Start Me Up (1992), Mr Music Hits 12•92 (1992), Focus / Late September '92 PolyGram Compilation (1992), Master Mix 93 (1993), Shopping (1994), and The Best Of Salt 'n Pepa (1999). Steve also used the names "Steevee-O" and "Stevie 'O' The Boy Wonda."
Eric "Quicksilver" Johnson
DJ and Producer
Born and raised in Queens, New York, Johnson began his career in the early 1980s as a DJ, influenced by the burgeoning hip-hop scene in Queensbridge. He performed under the name "Quicksilver."
Early Career with The Invincibles:
Started with local groups like The Super Lovers, where he honed his turntable skills. Joined Hurby "Luv Bug" Azor's production collective, The Invincibles, in the mid-1980s, working as a DJ and producer.
Breakthrough with Salt-N-Pepa:
As the original DJ for Salt-N-Pepa (then Super Nature), he worked on their debut album Hot, Cool & Vicious (1986). He performed scratches on the album.
Innovation and Technique:
Pioneered manually syncing drum loops to click tracks before SMPTE time code became standard. Azor described this technique in his interview with JayQuan.
Continued Production:
Transitioned into production, working on Salt-N-Pepa's A Salt with a Deadly Pepa (1988) and Blacks' Magic (1990). Collaborated on tracks for artists under the Idol Makers umbrella, including Kwamé and Antoinette.
Education and Legacy:
In the 2000s, focused on teaching the next generation through DJ workshops and lectures. Gave a lecture at the Red Bull Music Academy in 2015. Appeared in hip-hop documentaries including Netflix's Hip-Hop Evolution (Season 3). Continues to DJ at events, run online workshops, and preserve hip-hop history through educational content and social media.
Ron "Amen-Ra" Lawrence
Producer and Filmmaker
Multifaceted DJ, MC, and producer born Val Anthony Ronald Lawrence on November 14, 1965, in Dominica. He immigrated to the United States in 1970, settling in East Elmhurst, Queens, New York City. Lawrence attended the High School of Art and Design and later Howard University, where he began his music career.
Early Career and The Invincibles:
Cut his teeth with The Turnout Brothers and The Super Lovers before joining The Invincibles. Released "The Lovers Law" with The Super Lovers on Herby's Quazar Records label. Released the track "Let The Drummer Get Ill" which was featured on the Hurby's Machine compilation album The House That Rap Built (1988). At Howard, he met Deric "D-Dot" Angelettie, forming the rap duo Two Kings in a Cipher, releasing their debut album From Pyramids to Projects in 1991.
Bad Boy Records Hitmen Era:
Joined Sean "Diddy" Combs' Bad Boy Entertainment as part of the production team "The Hitmen." Co-produced tracks including The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Hypnotize" (1997), Puff Daddy's "Been Around the World" (1997), Jay-Z's "Where I'm From" (1997), and The Lox's "Money, Power, Respect" (1998). Also produced for Faith Evans, Mase, LL Cool J, Brian McKnight, and Rakim. His work contributed to over fifty million records sold worldwide and earned him a NARAS Governor's Award from the Grammy's Organization and the New Horizon Award as Producer of the Year.
Continued Production Work:
Extended his production to R&B with hits like Boyz II Men's "Can't Let Her Go" (1997) and Beyoncé's "A Woman Like Me" (2001). Contributed to soundtracks including Spike Lee's Bamboozled (2000), where he also appeared as a music engineer, and produced the theme song for the Pink Panther soundtrack featuring Beyoncé. Worked with Mary J. Blige, Aretha Franklin, Luther Vandross, R. Kelly, and Boyz II Men. Produced TV commercials for brands like Coca-Cola, Mountain Dew, and And-1.
Transition to Filmmaking:
Studied film at the New York Film Academy. Debuted his documentary Founding Fathers, exploring the birth and evolution of hip-hop. Founded Spotlyte Media in 2014. Produced additional documentaries including Above the Sun (2015), Angel of Light (2016), Commutation for Guy Fisher (2016), and Rap Dimension (2017). Created the web series Diary of a Music Producer (2018).
Recent Activities:
Self-published autobiography Where I'm From: Growing Up in Hip-Hop (2019). Appeared in Netflix's Hip-Hop Evolution Season 3. Producer of The Backspin Chronicles, a series about hip-hop history. Maintains active YouTube channel (Ron Lawrence AI) with video essays and interviews. Runs apparel line and personal website (thisisron.com). Continues to preserve hip-hop history through storytelling and community work in Queens.
Dana Mozie
Producer and Promoter
Grew up in southeast Washington, D.C. Began promoting rap music in the Washington metropolitan area during the late 1980s while a college student.
Early Career and Networking:
In 1987, met Jesse Itzler, forming a long-term music partnership. Worked at radio station WOL (AM) in Washington, D.C., making key introductions including connecting Sean "Diddy" Combs and the group Digable Planets. Moved to New York City around 1989 after invitation from Salt-N-Pepa.
The Invincibles and Production:
Joined Azor's production team in Queens. Contributed to Salt-N-Pepa's debut Hot, Cool & Vicious (1986) and served as engineer/co-producer on Blacks' Magic (1990).
Kid 'n Play and Sports Anthems:
Co-produced tracks on Kid 'n Play's Face the Nation (1991) and Funhouse (1990). In 1993, co-wrote the New York Knicks anthem "Go New York Go" with Jesse Itzler, which became a staple at Madison Square Garden. Produced a 1997 remix featuring Puff Daddy, DJ Run, and Ed Lover.
Business Ventures:
Expanded into sports music, writing anthems for teams like the Washington Bullets, Charlotte Hornets, Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, and New York Liberty. In 1996, founded Alphabet City Sports Records with Itzler, producing music compilations for major league sports and clients like Foot Locker and Coca-Cola. The company was sold in 1998 for $4 million plus royalties.
The Legacy
The Invincibles received production credits with Azor on Kid 'n Play's 2 Hype (1988) and Funhouse (1990).
The team combined DJ work, songwriting, arranging, and studio production.
Its members also worked on projects outside Idol Makers.