The X-Men defined the hardcore b-boy turntablist movement for a lot of us. Not to knock the more experimental techniques of the Bay, but catching them performing those beat-juggling routines live was incredible – so much so that I was compelled break tradition and give Raida a pound the first time I saw him perform a set. A few years later I bumped into him again at a Lord Finesse in-store signing, bugging him out when I produced my cassette edition of Return of the Funkyman to Finesse for an autograph. That same night, Roc and the Funkyman performed a back-to-basics set that showcased two masters of their craft, tearing the roof off that motherfucker. To me, that shit was iller than Public Enemy‘s stadium tour in 1989. Sure, seeing Flav enter the stage on an ambulance was crazy, but to witness Finesse and Raida in action was something else. Best believe I was front row on some Beatlemania shit, rapping every line and snapping my neck to every snare.
Roc Raida‘s status as a champion DJ is widely acknowledged, but don’t forget about his skills on the boards either. Here are a selection of some of my favorite Raida beats as we pay our respects to the great man. R.I.P. Grand Master.
X-Ecutioners – ‘Raida’s Theme [Remix]’
Former E-Bros member Wayne-O kicks the bio on this laid-back remix to RR’s theme song.
Big L – ‘On The Mic [Roc Raida Turntablist Mix]’
Superb minimalist re-working of L’s ‘Size ‘Em Up’, sporting a scorching scratch hook.
E-Bros – ‘Funky Piano’
Addictive piano groove from the second edition of the New Jersey Drive soundtrack.
Show & AG – ‘Time For…’
Showbiz scrapped his original breezy version for Raida’s somber backing when he was finalizing the Goodfellas tracklisting. Good call.
Termanology – ‘100 Jewels’
Possible his most sinister production. The perfect canvas for any MC to black-out over.
Smif-N-Wessun – ‘The Truth’
Another atmospheric backing from Raida’s catalog, this time assisting the most recent record from this Bucktown duo.
X-Ecutioners feat. M.O.P – ‘Let It Bang’
Joining forces with Knobody, Roc channels his inner headbanger for this speaker smasher for Bill and Danze.
X-Ecutioners feat. Ghostface, Trife & Black Thought – ‘Live From The PJ’s’
Can you ever go wrong with the ‘8th Wonder’ beat?
Roc Raida – ‘X-Men Style Beatz’
The reason I copped Return of the DJ, Vol. 2.
I was fortunate to see him a number of times with the X-Men/X-Ecutioners and solo. He will be greatly missed.
can’t forget to mention all the classics he did the cuts on.
Time’s Up, Masta I.C. & C’mon Wit Da Git Down to name just a few.
much respect… mad skills… saw him w/ rob swift and the scratch perverts in vancouver around the time his mixtape w/ dj the boy dropped–rip
No question, one of the best that ever did it on the Wheels of Steel. R.I.P.
REST IN PEACE ROC RAIDA, ROC, ROC ON
It was a DJ who started this thing called hip hop. Respect the architect. Another mighty blow to the hip hop culture. Bless…
RIP Roc Raida..saw him do his thing one time at RocknSoul,pure nastiness
A tragic loss, R.I.P. Grandmaster Roc Raida
RIP
Sad News
RIP. Tragic…just as it appears he was recovering too.
RIP
pourin beers for my peers who passed on . . .
Really sad about this. He was in Italy as a DJ for the Bustarhymes tour just a couple of months back. He stole the scene with his skills and his pre-show set and he was totally cool afterwards. Great talent and great person. Rest in beats.
RIP RAIDA…..
R.I.P. Grandmaster Roc Raida. God bless your soul
Brotha! The culture as a whole will miss you
Dearly. He was staying out here in MD for the
Past year or so. Cool brother down to earth and
Very humble. Inspiring. Brilliant. Class act. Damn…..
ROC RAIDA and DJ SCRATCH BEST BODY TRICKS IN THE GAME. I Met dude at XM when I used to work for Prince Paul and he was so humble and kind. I cant believe another one of my inspirations has passed. Raida RIP TOW. I still see him cuttin wit the beanie propeller. My dude. 1
U forgot “how do u want it ” by the Jb’s .. anyway its a sad day in hiphop when one of the illest live on the tables passes…. RIP Raida..
one love Roc. u will be missed brother!
That beat from “Live From The P.J.’s” is called “Daisy Lady”.
Tragic news.
RIP Roc Raida.
Roc Radia u gonna be missed u carzy cat, tight cuts, ill be keeping my autographed bits and pieces in me safe now! smoke clouds will be floating outta Adeliade 4 u.
RIP Roc Raida
I was at the Adelaide leg of that Finesse tour and it was a great night. Very cool to see those 2 doing their thing.
cross faderz was sick that was probably the album that really got me in to djing. rip raida
R.I.P. Grand Master!
I’ve been listening to the tracks you selected. All are dope. Never heard that Termanology “100 Jewels” before. But I got a 12 inches from AdiarCor Records (Raida’s own label) with a “The Truth (Remix)” with the same beat and Aasim and Fat Joe over it rhyming top level.
I think it’s a must. You can try it with this link I’ve just found in the net.
Respect!
Such a nice guy, I have a ton of memories of him and in each one he is smiling that amazing smile. I miss you little homie you were truly a GrandMaster