Fri 2 Oct 2009
Rest in Peace: DJ Mr. Magic (DJ Premier’s letter, Mr. Cee’s mix, etc)
Posted by Miss Info under Not Good For Hip Hop , Sigh[54] Comments
And again, we’re mourning the loss and celebrating the life of a music/dj legend….sigh. If you remember, it was just last year that Magic’s radio partner Marley Marl survived his own heart attack.
Here’s what DJ Premier shared in his condolence letter about hip hop radio pioneer:
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…..
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 SIMULTANEOUSLYHE 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”…….
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
UPDATE: DJ Brainchild posted a very concise and respectful RIP entry over at the j.o.b. website, Hot97.com, with great quotes from Daddy-O, ?uestlove, etc, and a link to Jsmooth’s 1995 interview with Mr. Magic and Mr. Cee
UPDATE 2: Mr Cee dedicated his Throwback at Noon mix to his friend Mr. Magic, and played this must-hear mix (download link here, listen after the jump). Also Robbie from Unkut posted a very nice salute with music as well.
“I miss Mr. Magic…”-Nas (2:13)
October 2nd, 2009 at 10:28 am
RIP Mr. Magic.
October 2nd, 2009 at 10:44 am
RIP Mr Magic!!!
October 2nd, 2009 at 10:45 am
i still have my cassettes
October 2nd, 2009 at 10:58 am
Ooh damn…..this is ridiculous…..
October 2nd, 2009 at 10:58 am
Magic’s presence and his voice has forever left it’s rubber stamp on hip hop. Magic taught me hip hop when the rest of the world knew not. Magic’s voice was reason before I knew what a “voice of reason” was. Magic birthed an energy inside of me that made me want to know more about the culture I was a part of, some of which I might have missed because of geographics, and people who were relevant to the culture. Magic is at the forefront of a culture (still), and I look forward to seeing his name everywhere where respect is due to a sound, a movement and the culture we know as hip hop. Peace to KRS-ONE, DOUGIE FRESH, BAM, ZULU, RUSSELL, HERC, EAZY, SHANTE’, FLASH, and others. I could never feel the anguish you do right now. My condolences. We are family.
Relentless Aaron
October 2nd, 2009 at 11:01 am
i am super crushed oh my goodness i remember listening to the rap attack with my tape deck on pause waiting for some hot shit to come on. wow rip Mr Magic Classic
October 2nd, 2009 at 11:18 am
Hangin pictures on my wall,….
October 2nd, 2009 at 11:19 am
HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SHIIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTT!!!!
Can’t believe this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!
I used to liten to Mr. Magic when I was a little kid. Used to tape his shows, on cassette on my big ass radio.
Mr. Magic R.I.P.
I’m in shock from reading this. That’s like hearing red alert, or herc, or marley marl dead….this is crazy!
October 2nd, 2009 at 11:20 am
WHBI 105.9!
“Persistence overcomes resistance”
“Be yourself, or you might find yourself – by yourself – and that’s no fun”
“Any man can learn from his or her mistakes, but it takes a wise guy or gal to learn from the mistakes made by others”
“WHBI, call us up on the vibe line – 212-873-1120″
He and Frankie Crocker were 2 major reasons why I got into radio. Rest In Peace.
October 2nd, 2009 at 11:31 am
thanks for the music mr. magic… one of the people that created the culture, validated the music. i used to listen to you on wbls all the time. thanks.
October 2nd, 2009 at 11:45 am
Someone should research and find out if there has been another year when we lost so many artists/celebrities/etc. This year these loses really hurt too. These people we are losing were pioneers in their fields. I remember being a young kid, listening to Mr. Magic on the radio, switching between him and Red Alert since they were on the radio at the same time. His lost reminds me of how far radio has come. People forget before a Hot 97 or Power 105, hip hop music only got played Friday & Saturday night in the tri-state area. And he was instrumental in getting alot of artist heard in the 80’s. OH MY GOD, I THINK I’M HAVING A RAP ATTACK! (promo) Condolences to the Rivas family during this lost. Take solace in knowing that he has left behind a legacy in hip hop that will not be forgotton.
October 2nd, 2009 at 11:56 am
I remember him on BLS back in the day. RIP.
October 2nd, 2009 at 12:12 pm
RIP MR. Magic Thank u for those late night radio. I couldnt wait to start my tape when u come on..one love big E…. will be mist…
October 2nd, 2009 at 12:23 pm
Thanks for being part of the soundtrack of my young adulthood. RIP Mr. Magic.
Love him or hate him he was always relevant a true giant and pioneer.
One!
October 2nd, 2009 at 12:32 pm
R.I.P and thanks for keeping me out of trouble those nights where all I had was a little tagged up boom box .. no dad , working mother, and Mr. Magics rap attack. Fridays and Sat’s.. Blessing and may your trip to your higher self be swift and pleasant, may your memories receive the frequencies of your contribution. Blessings.
October 2nd, 2009 at 12:46 pm
I was so heavy Juice Crew, this is a sad day for Hip Hop, talk about somebody that was overlooked when it came to accolades for what we do, whether you are a journalist, writer, spitter, kicker, tagger, this guy single handedly prolonged your existence and actually enabled you to make money.
Hip Hop Honors and BET Hip Hop Awards overlooked, heavy
MR. MAGIC, REST IN PEACE
The Editor
October 2nd, 2009 at 12:54 pm
R.I.P. (Mr. Cee is killin’ the old Juice Crew hits right now!)
I remember when Mr. Magic was the ONLY radio DJ playing hip hop on the radio & we used to sit in the park with my box until 4 in the morning to listen on the old 105 fm WHBI.
Woooooorld Premier, Wooooorld Premier…
You know when you heard that some straight fire was about to drop!
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:01 pm
R.I.P mr. magic a legend will never die. you made hip hop history and you will never be forgotten….damn
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:01 pm
R.I.P Mister Magic. All true hip-hop fans growing up in the 80s pay homage!!!
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:36 pm
RIP MR.Magic
you help to build the music with your foundtion alot people would not be were there
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:41 pm
wow….thanks for remembering classic quotes
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:42 pm
got mothafuckin damn mr magic fuck
the best on radio ever
October 2nd, 2009 at 2:37 pm
the entire rap game has to thank him for pioneering hip-hop radio. RIP.
October 2nd, 2009 at 3:17 pm
This is all sad and great tribute BUT HOW [edit] OLD WAS HE!! WTF!!
October 2nd, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Words cannot begin to explain how I feel. Magic was a friend of mines, we met in 2000..he became my manager as I was trying to pursue a music career. This is not just a loss for me personally but also for his die hard fans from day one! I loved him as a friend. Anyone who knew him knew that he was funny as hell. He had an enormous sense of humor, he loved to have fun, he loved music. He was very proud of what he accomplished as he should been. My last memory of him was when he picked me and my partner up from club exit from Busta rhymez Anarchy album release party…he was drinking..I could smell it on his breath; I asked him to let me drive..then he was driving a Mazda Millenia 929. He was so silly, he made me beg him to drive..I just didnt want to die. He always made me smile. His love of music and my love of music motivated me to give it my best. He believed in me, and helped me believe more in myself. I called him Altoids…he always kept a tin of altoids with him. He gave me my MIC name which is tattoo’d on my back “kdabra,” which means Magic! Magic will be missed by me, I loved him, I respected him, and I will always cherish the good times.
October 2nd, 2009 at 4:36 pm
thank you so much for sharing, sorry for your loss : (
October 2nd, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Every hood in America would be silent without him.((handsdown)) I would like to send my condolences to his entire family. Also, Fly Ty, Marley Marl The Entire Cold Chillin.. In my opinion, Mister Cee said it best ((and nailed the old school @noon ))”He gave me my chance in radio”. “Ditto” Mister Cee. Because he gave me opportunity and schooled me things in radio and in hip hop period. What a pleasure and honor it was to have worked with such a great teacher. He was a knowledgeable man who knew his craft WELL. He was creative,fun and loving. I enjoyed and will cherish have worked with one of the true pioneers of hip hop. Where would hip-hop be with out “Magic”. You will be missed. …
October 2nd, 2009 at 6:24 pm
Damn, this hit me like a ton of bricks. I remember Mr. Magic and Fly Ty and the Juice Crew with Co-Chillin’ Records those are some illmatic memories. R.I.P. Super rockin’ DJ Mr. Magic “A wise man learns from a fool” – He always had the illest quotes.
October 2nd, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Wow this is truly sad, I believe he was 55… all I can remember was waiting for them to say “A WORLD PREMIERE” or “OH MY GOD I THINK I’M HAVING A RAP ATTACK”, i still got those cassette tapes in a box somewhere… he will definitely be missed, his family is my thoughts and prayers, R.I.P. Mr. Magic !!!
October 2nd, 2009 at 9:31 pm
Thanks for paving the way for others…May you R.I.P…Gone, but not forgotten…You will be missed!!!
October 2nd, 2009 at 9:31 pm
Hey! Hip Hop fans…. Magic was “in a class by himself” Like he use to say. Oh My goodness! He will be missed. He use to make us laugh when we were all together. I miss him, Fly Ty, Marly, Shan, Biz, Kane, G Rapp, and Polo. Dr. Shante. I am glad I had the chance to work with these artist. I had done 2 singles after the Juice crew Cut back with Evolution. I left the Juice crew to become righteous. I still write and do my rapp thing but among the community of Muslim women. I had my fun with the crew while it lasted. Rest in Peace “Magic”!
October 3rd, 2009 at 12:06 am
A lot of you cats remember him from WBLS, but long before that I used to listen to him on WHBI. I was a teenager back then, staying up late with my cassette tape and boombox recording his programs. My condolences goes out to his family.
To my African-American brother and sisters, let this be a wake up call. Stay away from fried, greasy meals. They clog up your arteries and take you out in your 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. Cutting out the smoking and alcohol would help too.
October 3rd, 2009 at 1:30 am
Mah, wassup girl I had to read and reply to your comment. I got some more info for you. I’m still crying!
October 3rd, 2009 at 1:33 am
Thank you, if you have any info regarding his burial can you please email me. You can send me a message via myspace. Or send me your email and I can give you mines personally. I appreciate it, thanks!
October 3rd, 2009 at 1:34 am
Wow, you remember WHBI, that’s when he first started!
October 3rd, 2009 at 3:36 am
Yep, somehow I would wake up around 2 in the morning (when he was on WHBI, before WBLS), put my headphones on,listen and make those pause button tapes t’ill he went off. Had to keep the volume low, because moms wasn’t having me stay up that late.
I was tired as hell the next day, but it was worth it. When Magic came on, it was like news the next day at school cuz’ hearing HipHop on the radio was like a treat / rare thing.
Also, shouts and respect to some other Hip Hop Radio Pioneers on WHBI: Afrika Islam, The World Famous Supreme Team, and Jay Bloodrock.
October 3rd, 2009 at 8:27 am
R.I.P. Mr. Magic. What he did for hip-hop was amazing, he gave new artists the opportunity to shine and that push that
was needed to get them noticed and get the recognition. Biggie, Nas, 2Pac, Kane and The Juice Crew and Krs all paid massive respect to him and hip-hop may not be where it was if it wasn’t for people like Magic.
One love.
October 3rd, 2009 at 12:57 pm
I still can’t believe this! Some people you think are going to be around forever; he was one of them. I knew him when….I still have his 1st business card from 1979-1980 from WHBI. My husband “Disco Nate is devasted.
October 3rd, 2009 at 1:01 pm
The shock is beginning to wear off. Thinking about the kids, if mom’s is still around, sisters etc. Magic should’ve been around 53-54 yrs old. He should’ve been recognized for his contributions to Hip Hop! Who remembers Eclipse Roller Rink on Atlantic Ave in Bklyn?
October 3rd, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Wow…my condolences : (…its awesome that you saved momentos like that.
October 3rd, 2009 at 1:05 pm
Why are some people’s contributions remembered in death & not in life?? It would’ve done his ego some good to have seen the outpouring of love shown here today. Anything on funeral arrangements please let me know.
October 3rd, 2009 at 1:11 pm
I remember one of his opening lines @ WHBI. “This is a Mr., Mr. Magic , Magic Super Super Blast, blast, blast” or “This is a Mr. Magic Experience”! Wow those were the days.
October 3rd, 2009 at 2:15 pm
Hi Tammy its Torria’s daughter. I’m still crying, did you guys get any info!
October 4th, 2009 at 1:47 am
if you’re looking for funeral details, I’m posting now
October 4th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Thank you mr Cee for the info..i’ll see you there.
October 5th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Time is on your side
lov you more
discoden 352 450 5185
you were the first, remember when we meet on Canal ST. 1981, you ask me,”I want to be a DJ”, and I said come uptown to Discoden recordpool Harlem NYC
that’s were it all began.
thanks you
October 6th, 2009 at 9:32 am
This is a Mr. Mr. Magic Magic Supa Supa blast blast powwwwwww! I loved his promo when Houdini was rapping about him, and Ecstasy’s brother Dynasty was cuttin up the theme from S.W.A.T.(classic) RIP Sir Juice
October 7th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
A promo that the 80’s rap group Whodini made for Mr. Magic in 1981 (that even they even forgot about) is going to get played at 8PM (Oct 7th) on WHCR 90.3 FM. My tape deck is ready, get yours ready.
😉
October 7th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
Wow! You remember as well!
A promo Whodini made for Mr. Magic in 1981 is going to get played TONIGHT at 8PM on WHCR 90.3 FM.
Yes, it’s that Jalil / Ecstasy / Dynasty promo with the theme from S.W.A.T ! TRUST, it took a minute to find that tape!
October 9th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
ONLY GOD,YOU, AND I KNOW THE TRUE MAGIC
LIVE ON
LOV YOU MORE
DJ FRANKLIN(AKA)DISCODEN
TO THE FAMILY, MAGIC LIVES IN ALL OF YOU
CALL 352 450 5185
March 24th, 2011 at 8:08 am
I was curious if you ever thought of changing the page layout of your blog? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or 2 pictures. Maybe you could space it out better?
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September 4th, 2011 at 10:48 am
The true perfection of man lies not in what man has, but in what man is. -Oscar Wilde
February 15th, 2012 at 8:11 pm
Facts are stubborn things