Grandmaster Roc Raida, R.I.P.

I was really sad to read that Grandmaster Roc Raida passed away, especially so soon after the death of DJ AM. I only met Raida once but he seemed like a really genuine and humble guy.

There's no question he was one of the greatest scratch/battle DJs who ever did it, but when I think of him the first thing that comes to mind is always this, which he and Knobody produced:



The X-Ecutioners: "Let It Bang" feat. M.O.P. (Loud, 2001)

I can't think of any other song that gets me charged like this does. It's also about the only time M.O.P.'s rap/metal fuckery has fully clicked for me, aside from maybe "Cold World". (I love M.O.P. but dudes, please, less Mash Out Posse, more First Family 4 Life.)

The sample always cracks me up because it starts off sounding like Devendra Banhart covering the intro to Arrested Development and then goes from soft-hands to max power out of nowhere.



Toe Fat: "Stick Heat" (Regal Zenophone, 1971)

"Stick Heat" was produced by the great Jon Peel.

p.s.: M.O.P.'s new album is pretty good.