Thursday 22nd October @ BB Kings saw New York and the rest of the world for that matter, came together for what was the greatest event I have ever witnessed. The Grand Master Roc Raida Tribute. I have never seen so much unity, love and respect in one room! All to tribute a World Champion DJ, great father, family man and friend. RIP Grand Master Roc Raida.
I was so happy to be in New York for this memorable event along with Tony Prince (Founder of DMC).
Many of the greatest turntablists on planet Earth gathered at BB Kings to re-create Roc Raida’s routines throughout his battling/DJ career and to pay tribute to this legend. It took me a few days after the event to even come up with what I wanted to say about the event, because if I am honest it left me completely speechless.
Where do I start?
BB Kings was full to the brim of 900+ people all there for one reason.
Tony Prince got up on stage to a full house to introduce the incredible DJs who were about to perform. It was great hearing Tony shouting Roc Raidaaaaaaaaaaaaaa like he did in1995, the year he won the DMC World Championship, and I know how many of the DJs loved having Tony on stage!
The night kicked off with tributes by the X-Ecutioners – Rob Swift, Boogie Blind, Total Eclipse, Mista Sinista and Precision. Boogie Blind in particular blew me away; these guys are truly the best! Raida would have been so proud of them all.
The stage was full and crowded! As I looked around on stage and saw the super star line up, I realised this was a one off event and was unlikely to ever happen again!
Paying their tributes to the Grand Master was former DMC World Champions A-Trak who performed Raida’s ‘Push It Routine’ and DJ Craze who performed ‘Ugly People Be Quiet’ and ‘Sucka MCs’. I don’t know what it is about Craze, but I could watch him for hours, he oooozed personality and flare as he always does and smiled throughout his set, his re-creations were out of this world, he makes it look way too easy!
Newly crowned DMC World Champion DJ Shiftee stepped up with one of my favourite Raida routines – ‘Chief Rocka’.
The Beat Junkies DJ Babu performed ‘Going Back To Cali’ and Shortkut performed ‘I Got To Have It’.
DJ I-Dee re-created ‘Bring It Here’, DJ Dummy performed ‘Bridge Is Over’.
I loved how all the DJs incorporated Raida’s body tricks, it was so special, and every single DJ who performed was amazing.
There were two screens on either side of stage that aired tribute videos to Raida. Personal videos, on tour documentaries, DMC footage, messages from the likes of DJ Premier, Jazzy Jeff and Mix Master Mike. It was so touching, and I could feel everyone in BB Kings felt the same way I did.
The night was an emotional roller coaster, brimming with happiness and joy and sad and tearful the next, all within the space of 3 hours.
Other performances on the night came from the Almighty Beat Junkies (Babu, J.Rocc, Rhettmatic and Shortkut) who performed a tribute set, amazing amazing performance. It was so good to see all the Beat Junkies in the building! I love these guys.
The inventor of the Beat Juggle and X-Men founder ‘Steve Dee’ stepped up to stage to perform as well as Roli Rho of the 5th Platoon.
The night’s hosts were Kinetic NRG and Lord Sear. Fantastic party rocking sets were provided by Z-Trip, J.Rocc and Spin One (who runs a show alongside DJ Fatfingaz and DJ Yonny) on alistradio.net and their show that I have been a guest on now numerous times is Table Manners, so big shouts to the Table Manners crew!
One of the highlights for me alongside Craze and Boogie Blind was the phenomenal ‘Rock The Bells’ circle. This was truly outstanding! DMC Legend and one of my fav men in the world: DJ Cash Money got up, everyone chanting his name! Rock The Bells included – Rob Swift, Mista Sinista, Total Eclipse, A Trak, DJ Scratch, Boogie Blind, Cash Money, Total Eclipse, Sean C, Precision, Craze and more!
I could have stayed at BB Kings till daylight, and I think the DJs and everyone in the building would have too!
Busta Rhymes came onto stage and brought Tyesha (Raida’s wife) and two of their beautiful children up one by one. He talked about Raida, touring with him, how they have become close and close to his beautiful family. It was just something else.
Many other attendees included: Kool Herc, Lord Finesse, Large Professor, Johnny Juice, Scram Jones, Scribble, IXL, Eclipse, Infamous, Klever, J-Smoke, DJ Slyce, IXL, Immortal Technique and so many many more plus Roc Raida’s mother and family on his side and in laws.
It was great to also see my friends Christie Z, Sondra, Marilyn, Cutfucious, Marcus, Fatfingaz (ouuuuuuuuuuuw), Rugged One, Esquire, Yom, Kyle aka DJ air conditioning unit, Complex, Russell, Matty Mcfly, Ty Handswell and anyone who I have missed I am sorry, there were too many people there!
Huge respect and props to Sugarcuts, Sean C, Pro and everyone that put together and worked on the event.
Much love and respect to Tyesha and their beautiful family.
RIP ROC RAIDA. MUCH LOVE
Sally Mclintock
Check this footage directly from John Carluccio (Battlesounds/Hop Fu)
DJ Roc Raida Tribute -- Video for Tableturns Reunion / NYC Tribute event (10.2009)
http://www.youtube.com/wat
PS: Those requesting permission to organize an official fundraiser/tribute - please contact roc4raida@gmail.com
http://www.myspace.com/roc
http://www.myspace.com/the
Donations can be sent directly to his family through http://www.paypal.com using: ladietye@yahoo.com
The Next Official Roc Raida Tribute/Fundraiser has been organized by Lord Finesse for
Nov. 17 @ SOBs NYC
Doors at 7pm. Show at 9pm - ? Featuring DITC, Brand Nubian, Large Professor, The Beatnuts, Immortal Technique. Host: Lord Sear. DJ Boogie Blind and Da Beatminerz. More guests tba. $18 adv. $22 day of. Buy tickets now! sobs.com SOBs 204 Varick St. at West Houston NYC. 1 to Houston. No Guest List! NO Video Cameras!
OCT. 21: THE HALFTIME SHOW WNYU
DJ Craze, Shiftee, Roli Rho, Mista Sinista, Sean C, Sugarcuts, Tyeasha (Roc Raida's wife) and more! http://bit.ly/kMzPz Watch footage! youtube.com/watch?v=n-xpln
DJ PREMIER's RADIO TRIBUTE TO ROC RAIDA
Part 1: sendspace.com/file/2axsye
Part 2: sendspace.com/file/9cnkw4
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment