One of the pioneers in Hip-Hop, DJ Mr. Magic, has passed away. You may remember him from Tupac’s song “Old School” when Pac referenced the DJ or from Nas’s “Halftime” when he said, “I gotta have it, I miss Mr. Magic.”Now the entire Hip-Hop world is reflecting on the death of the legend.
DJ Premier one of Magic’s longtime friends and cohorts penned a condolence letter responding to the tragic loss. He spoke of his friend and confirmed that he passed away from a heart attack saying:
“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…..”
Premier also made sure to give a Hip-Hop history lesson, reminding Hip-Hop heads of his friend’s prolific moves in the 80s and contributions to modern day radio.
“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”…….”
Premier continues and reflects on his friend’s sarcastic nature and clout in the rap world. Following that he sends shout outs to Mr. Magic’s former ‘Rap Attack’ partners in crime, Marley Marl and Fly Ty for their help with the biographical info.He ends the letter with a final farewell to his friend.
“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”
