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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. ....
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I was so happy to be in ....New York.... for this memorable event along with
Tony Prince (Founder of DMC). ....
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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.....
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Where do I start?....
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BB Kings was full to the brim of 900+ people all there for
one reason. ....
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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! ....
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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. ....
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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!....
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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! ....
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Newly crowned DMC World Champion DJ Shiftee stepped up with
one of my favourite Raida routines – ‘Chief Rocka’. ....
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The Beat Junkies DJ Babu performed ‘Going Back To Cali’ and
Shortkut performed ‘I Got To Have It’.....
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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. ....
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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. ....
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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. ....
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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.....
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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. ....
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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!....
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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!....
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I could have stayed at BB Kings till daylight, and I think
the DJs and everyone in the building would have too! ....
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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.....
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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.....
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It was great to also see my friends Christie Z, Sondra,
Marilyn, Cutfucious, Marcus, Fatfingaz (ouuuuuuuuuuuw), Rugged One, Esquire,
Yom, Russell, Matty Mcfly, Ty Handswell and anyone who I have missed I am
sorry, there were too many people there!....
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Huge respect and props to Sugarcuts, Sean C, Pro and
everyone that put together and worked on the event. ....
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Much love and respect to Tyesha and their beautiful family.....
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RIP ROC RAIDA. MUCH LOVE....
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Sally Mclintock ....
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Check this footage directly from John Carluccio
(Battlesounds/Hop Fu)....
DJ Roc Raida Tribute -- Video for Tableturns Reunion / NYC Tribute event
(10.2009)....
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4KAhBDflHg....
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PS: Those requesting permission to organize
an official fundraiser/tribute - please contact roc4raida@gmail.com
http://www.myspace.com/rocraida
http://www.myspace.com/thegongdjbattle
Donations can be sent directly to his family through http://www.paypal.com using:
ladietye@yahoo.com ....
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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-xplnzTcPM
DJ PREMIER's RADIO TRIBUTE TO ROC RAIDA
Part 1: sendspace.com/file/2axsye
Part 2: sendspace.com/file/9cnkw4
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