Friday, October 2, 2009

Pioneering Hip-Hop DJ Mr. Magic Dies

One of hip-hop’s true pioneers, John "Mr. Magic" Rivas, died this morning (October 2) of a heart attack.

Along with hosting “Rap Attack” with Marley Marl on New York radio station WBLS, Mr. Magic was a co-founder of the legendary Juice Crew, the ’80s group featuring Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap, Biz Markle and Masta Ace, among other hip-hop trailblazers.

“Rap Attack” began its influential run in 1983 and is often considered the first all-hip-hop radio show ever. For many, Mr. Magic was the man who brought rap music to the radio, as well as became a frequent reference point for East coast MCs. In Notorious B.I.G.’s “Juicy,” Biggie rapped, "Every Saturday Rap Attack/Mr. Magic, Marley Marl."

DJ Premier remembered Mr. Magic online today, posting the following letter:

I WANT TO SEND OUT THE UTMOST RESPECT AND CONDOLENCES TO THE MEMORY OF JOHN RIVAS—-aka MR. MAGIC

HE PASSED AWAY THIS MORNING OF A HEART ATTACK…..

TRUE HIP HOP HEADS KNOW THAT HIS HISTORY IS SO LONG
DUE TO HIM BEING THE FIRST RAP MIXSHOW TO EVER BE ON COMMERCIAL RADIO ON NEW YORK’S WBLS–(107.5) WITH MARLEY MARL AND FLY TY IN 1982-1984…….THEN WENT ON TO WHBI IN OCTOBER OF 1984 AND THEN
BACK TO WBLS in 1985 and WDAS in Philly SIMULTANEOUSLY

HE PAVED THE WAY FOR ALL RADIO STATIONS THAT EVER DID MIXSHOWS AND ALSO SPARKED THE CAREER OF BOOGIE DOWN PRODUCTIONS DUE TO THE DISS HE SHOWED WHEN THEY CAME TO SHOP THEIR DEMO TO HIM AND WAS TURNED AWAY WHICH THEN SPARKED “SOUTH BRONX” AND “THE BRIDGE IS OVER”…….

HE WAS KNOWN FOR HIS DIRECT AND SARCASTIC ATTITUDE ON THE AIR AND EVERY ARTIST WANTED HIS APPROVAL WHEN IT CAME TO BREAKING NEW RECORDS……..HE EVEN HAD SONGS DEDICATED TO HIM BY THE LEGENDARY WHODINI–(”MR. MAGIC’S WAND”) WHICH WAS SURPRISINGLY PRODUCED BY ONE OF MY FAVORITE ARTISTS THOMAS DOLBY…….

SHOUTS OUT TO MARLEY MARL AND FLY TY FOR THE CORRECT INFORMATION ON THIS……

REST IN PEACE MR. MAGIC………….DJ PREMIER

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