Michael Lockard
aka Mello Mike, a member of Master Don and the Death Committee,
Author, and THHM Donor

The Hip Hop Museum is built by, and built for, pioneers. We call people who were at the foundation of Hip Hop pioneers. From time to time, we present pioneers who, among other things, have donated to the Archives and Collections. What follows is one such feature. It is about someone who is as valuable, meaningful, and powerful as the material they gave to the Official Record of Hip Hop:

Michael Lockard, aka Mello Mike of Master Don and the Death Committee (original group).

In 1977, one of Hip Hop’s legendary groups – the original Master Don and the Death Committee – came together as organically as possible. They lived in nearby neighborhoods and knew the same people. According to Michael Lockard, the one and only Mello Mike, Master Don and Tony T the King Warlock lived in the same neighborhood, as did AG Scorpio and Disco Net. Michael knew Don’s cousin. 

“And that’s how I got involved,” Michael told us, when we spoke after he generously donated The Original Death Committee Member: Pieces of a Dream, The True Story to our Archives and Collections. This book is a collection of short stories, recollections, and truths culled from 1977 through the 80s. 

Don and Michael practiced every Saturday between 12 and 3pm, on West 147^th Street between 7^th and 8^th Avenues. It was a family affair in every way: “Howie D was our driver, and he drove his father’s van with us and our equipment to and from parties.” 

For a band with a seemingly dangerous sounding name – the Death Committee – how it came to be was anything but. Michael told us, “In MAD Magazine, Master Don had read something about a Death Committee. So that’s why we called it Death Committee. When we said ‘Death,’ it was meant to be complimentary.” 

While he didn’t claim credit for establishing one of Hip Hop music’s most used words, it would not surprise us if “def” came from people hearing that instead of “death.”

Flyer for Master Don, Mello Mike, Tony T the King Warlock, AG Scorpio, and
Disco Net appearing with the Shining Star MCs at the Show Place, 
Harlem, New York on December 22, 1979

Michael Lockard donated this flyer to The Hip Hop Museum.

Among Michael’s donations to the THHM is the flyer for Master Don and the Death Committee’s performance with legendary DJs and rappers comprising the Shining Star MCs at Harlem’s Show Place. I was as moved by the hand-drawn and handwritten flyer as I was by the price at the door: $2.50. Experiences like this one, on December 22, 1979 in Harlem, weren’t filmed. To have, and to be able to share, evidence of it is a privilege for the official record of Hip Hop. We cannot wait for the opportunity to present this when we open the doors in 2024.

We continue to search for shareable recordings of the original Master Don and the Death Committee. When you hear their Hip Hop storytelling, you will appreciate how thrilled and grateful THHM was to receive Michael’s book.  

Thank you, Michael, for your ongoing contribution to Hip Hop’s culture and history. 

by Kate Harvie, Contributing Writer for The Hip Hop Museum (originally published July 2023)