This past Sunday 9.19.10 marked the 1 year anniversary of Grand Master Roc Raida’s passing due to complications resulting from a tragic MMA accident. A month later after the Roc Raida died, I found out that there was a Roc Raida Tribute show happening at BB Kings in NY. As soon as I found out, I thought that I just had to go, and was accompanied by my homie Gerrell (Vanz). We took a quick less than 24 hour day-trip to NY to re-live Roc Raida’s essence on the turntables through the creme-de-la-creme of Turntablists. The stage was packed with reunions of Roc Raida’s crew the X-Ecutioners, the Allies, Beat Junkies, as well as many more legendary DJs such as Kool Herc. His DMC battle routines were recreated and performed by various DJs, and new sets were also put together tributed to him. The venue had the illest vibe ever, being surrounded by people that really recognize and appreciate the true artform of DJing. I even came across some familiar people in the crowd. I bumped into one of my old time DJ battle competitors, DJ Marcus, and Busta Rhymes, who really looked down and out of it that night due to the loss of his personal DJ. Although we had to go back to work sleepless that same morning just hours upon arriving home, the tiring trip was well worth it. However, although I loved and appreciated the tribute they put together, starstruck and all seeing some of the best of the best in HipHop, I just wish shows like that would happen more often without being generated by tragedy. At tonight’s gig, I’ll be rocking the shirt that I got from the show that everyone was rocking that same night and play some tracks to honor the late Great Grand Master Roc Raida. RIP
Grand Master Roc Raida DMC 1996: DMC
DJ Craze Roc Raida Tribute 2009: 13th Witness
BMV | Recently 