R.I.P TO A DJ'S DJ "ROC RAIDER" (YOU WILL BE MISSED!)

Whats's Crackn Peoples!

As some of you already know another DJ Legend just passed and his death wasn't publicized as much as it should have been especially for as many contributions hes made to the art of "Hip Hop and turntablism. I'm speaking on another humble cool, laid back but serious dj "Roc Raider" who had fans, peers and the world amazed so much that turntable companies battled for endorsements fro this guy because he was so hot! But the one thing he remained is humble threw-out his amazing career.

This DJ truly had bragging rights but NEVER acted out the way some dj's who have NO skills does he let his work do the talking instead of his mouth. He influenced me as we'll as many hot djs including DJ Premiere, Rsonist, Kid Capri, DJ Scratch and many, many more. He perfected the art of battling and was ready at a drop of the dime to defend his title. Like everyone else I studied his VH1 tapes (Before the DVD's) on how to perfect my craft. He has a amazing story and has touched "EVERYONE" who seen or met him. Roc you will live on in my heart as one of the "Greatest dj's of all time" homie mad love & respect.

Yours Truly
"Cool V"
The Industry Insomniac!

Anthony Williams (May 18, 1972 – September 19, 2009), better known as Grand Master Roc Raida, was an American DJ, turntablist, producer and member of DJ groups The X-Men and The X-Ecutioners.

He won the 1995 DMC World DJ Championship.[1] He was interviewed for and appeared in the 2001 movie Scratch.

Anthony "Grand Master Roc Raida" Williams was born in Harlem New York on May 17, 1972 to Brenda Williams-Bolling & William “Tony” He was educated through the New York City Department of Education.

He died on Saturday, September 19, 2009 from cardiac arrest resulting from injuries he suffered in an accident while training in Krav Maga, a type self-defense system that he had been studying weekly for the last two years. He was proud that his 15-year-old daughter, Asia, shared his passion for Krav Maga and was the only girl in their class.

Anthony Williams was both African-American and Puerto Rican. He lived most of his life in Harlem but after marrying his soul mate, Tyeasha on June 26, 1997, they moved to The Bronx. Several years ago, they realized their dream of owning a home and relocated their family to Maryland. He encouraged and shared in his wife’s dream of one day opening up her own beauty salon.

He began DJing at the age of 12, spinning at local parties around Harlem. By 1995, Roc Raida represented the United States at the DMC World DJ Championships and won.[1] He was the first DJ from New York City to hold this title and was automatically inducted into the DMC/Technics DJ Hall of Fame. Throughout his life, he lived his passion - being a professional Hip Hop DJ. He was blessed to have touring the world as his day job. Williams was honored to have worked with recording artists including Showbiz & AG, Lord Finesse, Kool G Rap, D.I.T.C., Big L and most recently, he toured exclusively with Busta Rhymes.

Although his family called him “Ant” (short for Anthony), he became known worldwide as legendary DJ Roc Raida. In 1999, Grand Master status was bestowed upon him by a group of pioneering Hip Hop DJs, during a conference at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame & Museum.

Before he died, he asked his 10 yr. old daughter, Nyra, who was the most interested, of his children, in DJing to take over for him as a DJ. She agreed!

With a very aggressive swagger on the turntables, those who knew Roc Raida were floored by his humbleness. His wife, Tyeasha reports, “His notoriety amazed him every day!” He never took that for granted. Williams was also known to be very quiet, private and easy going. His self-control was commendable unless he was pushed to his limit and then he would roar. In fact, Lord Finesse called his friend “the quiet lion” for this very reason. Those closest to him have the pleasure of remembering him also as a hilarious comedian, loving to joke and laugh.

Roc Raida through battles, performances, videos, dvds and even a Pepsi commercial, influenced thousands of DJs, both to party rock as well as to battle and he took several aspiring DJs under his wing to mentor personally. As a member of legendary turntablist crews, The X-Men and The X-ecutioners, he along with his brothers-in-vinyl took the world by storm, innovating, influencing and inspiring at every turn. In 2006, to progress and contribute to the Hip Hop DJ battle scene, he founded Roc Raida’s Gong DJ Battle, a national DJ battle that occurs annually, combining head to head turntablist dexterity with comedy and drama.

Not only was he a World Champion DJ, he was a dedicated father and husband.

Anthony leaves to cherish his memories; his loving wife: Tyeasha Williams; three beautiful daughters: Asia, Nyra & Tia; one son: Earl Tyric Smiley; mother: Brenda Williams-Bolling; his step-father: Clarence Bolling; mother-in-law: Clarice Powell; father-in-law: Deryl Hunt; sister: Tamneka Bolling; 2 brother-in-laws: Willie Neat & Keith Powell; 3 aunts: Arlene Tramble, Jacquline Knox of FL, & Jacquline (Donald) Tramble; 1 god-sister: Tina Carter; Adoptive Grandmother: Juanita Jackson and a host of cousins & dear friends.

Roc Raida was given his name by former group member MC Sergio of Harlem NY. The two toured through Harlem performing at multiple night clubs before Raida went on to join the X-Men with Sean C, Johnny Cash, Steve D, Diamond J, DMD, Rob Swift, Mr Sinister, Dr.Butcher,GM Spin, Fatman Scoop which later became the X-Ecutioners
[edit] Solo



* 1997: The Adventures of Roc Raida... One Too Many!
* 2000: Crossfaderz
* 2001: We Them Niggas
* 2003: Champion Sounds
* 2005: Rock Phenomenon which went on to win the Justo Mixtape Awards- Mash Up Mixtape of the Year w/ DJ VLAD
* 2007: Beats, Cuts and Skits

[edit] With The X-Ecutioners

* 1997: X-Pressions
* 1998: Japan X-Clusive
* 2002: Built from Scratch
* 2003: Scratchology
* 2004: Revolutions
* 2005: General Patton vs. The X-Ecutioners



X-Ecutioner member and Busta Rhymes' personal deejay, Anthony "DJ Roc Raida" Williams, has reportedly passed today (September 19).

Busta announced the unexpected news via his Twitter account Saturday afternoon.

"I am sorry 2 say that on this day at 2:05 Sept 19th we lost another incredible life...Dj Roc Raida died 2day my personal Dj is gone... I just wanna thank everyone 4 ur love and support and ur prayers...We will never let ur name die Roc...We love u and will 4ever miss u...RIP." (Busta Rhymes' Twitter)

This was later followed by a stream of Twitter "R.I.P.'s" from RZA, DJ Drama, N.O.R.E., Big Pooh, Talib Kweli and Kid Capri.

"yesterday i shouted out dj's across the world, dj am and dj jam master jay, today i say rest in peace to a close friend dj roc raider!!!!," Capri wrote. "dj roc raider was a real beast at his talent, and a very humble soldier, i will miss the homie, im deeply sadden, god bless his soul." (Kid Capri's Twitter)

A statement regarding his passing was released Saturday afternoon.

"Anthony Williams p/k to the world as The Legendary Grand Master Roc Raida has passed away unexpectedly today Sept 19 2009. He is survived by his wife, 3 lovely daughters, mother and friends. Raida was recently in an mixed martial arts accident, something that he has been practicing for several years. Although he had under gone 2 surgeries with great success, was released to an inpatient physical therapy facility and was in great spirits the past few days. This morning he started to have complications and passed. The family asks for privacy at this time." (Nah Right)

He also helped create hit records for some of hip-hop biggest names.

Raida has produced records for artists, such as Big L, Fat Joe, Ghostface Killah, Jungle Brothers and Linkin Park, to name a few and has dropped scratches for artist's like O.C.'s classic 'Time's Up' to pop sensation Pink's new album I'm Not Dead. (British Hip Hop)

Raida's career within the music industry dates back nearly two decades as a member of the X-Ecutioners and award-winning deejay.

Roc Raida started DJing hip-hop at the age of ten with his father's help. From there he's gone on to found one of the most prolific turntablist crews the world has yet to see, with partners Mista Sinista, Rob Swift and Total Eclipse. Collecting championship titles and awards across the world, he's brought an art form back that may well have been slowly motioned to obscurity, creating excitement by injecting pure passion into his mixes. (All Music)

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