For those that remember tuning in to 109.5 FM WHBI or 107.5 FM WBLS in New York, whenever you heard Mr. Magic say "This is a World Premiere-miere-miere!" you knew the next possible hip hop classic was about to drop. Earlier today, ALLHIPHOP.COM reported the death of John Rivas aka Mr. Magic. Mr. Magic has an indelible influence on hip hop as the pioneering radio host of "The Mr. Magic Disco Show" on WHBI and "Mr. Magic's Rap Attack"and the co-founder of the legendary Juice Crew (with Marley Marl). The Juice Crew included iconic rappers, M.C Shan, Roxanne Shante, Bizmarkie, Craig G., Kool G. Rap and Big Daddy Kane. Classic hip hop group, Mr. Magic was the door for Whodini's career also. Their song "Magic's Wand" was a featured promo for his WBLS show. Mr. Magic and DJ Red Alert were once radio rivals and hip hop benefitted from their creative ruse. Some artists began to take sides and soon Boogie Down Productions was born. The battle between the Juice Crew and BDP played a vital role in raising the creative bar.
I had spent countless Friday and Saturday nights listening to Mr. Magic with one finger on the record button ready to capture a "World Premiere" song and archive the mixes. I will never forget that era, his voice and his famous sign off, "just remember that persistence always overcomes resistance" and "be yourself or you will find yourself, by yourself"..
Also check THEURBANDAILY.COM for an excerpt from one of his last interviews from a soon to be published book entitled, "The Big Payback: The History of the Business of Hip-Hop", coming in 2010. The piece reveals his beginning as Mr. Magic and the birth of Whodini.
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