Mr Magic dies
2009-10-04 by Nick Butler STAFF | 27 Replies | 1451 Views |
Mr Magic, a pioneering radio DJ who had a sizeable influence on a nascent hip-hop scene in the early '80s, had died aged 53.
Born John Rivas, Magic hosted a show on New York's WBLS-FM called Rapp Attack, a show which represented the first time a major network had taken the risk of broadcasting an all hip-hop show. Aided by the similarly influential Marley Marl, the show ran for six years, and was perhaps most notorious for advancing the war between Marl's Juice Crew and Boogie Down Productions. The show's coverage of, and involvement in the feud was instrumental in raising the profile of several key figures in the genre, including Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap, Biz Markie, and KRS-One.
Magic's show ended in 1989 but he remained a popular figure, and was referenced in several songs throughout the '90s by figures as big as 2Pac, Nas, Notorious B.I.G., and Mos Def. He also appeared on the soundtrack to the '80s homage of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.
Close friend DJ Premier today announced that he died of a heart attack on Friday.
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