Mr. Magic Dies
Every Saturday, Rap Attack, Mr. Magic, Marley Marl…..Mr. Magic, the New York disc jockey who helped bring hip-hop into the mainstream in the 1980s, died of a heart attack on Thursday. He was 48.
The hip-hop pioneer, whose real name was John Rivas, co-founded WBLS-FM’s Rap Attack Radio Show in 1983. Rap Attack went off the air in 1989, but Magic remained influential, inspiring the careers of hip-hop legends like the Notorious B.I.G., Nas, and KRS-1.
Gangstarr’s DJ Premier took to his blog Friday to honor Magic’s memory.
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 to WHBI in October 1984 and then back to WBLS in 1985 and WDAS in Philly. Simultaneously he paved the way for all radio stations that ever did mixshows and also sparked the career of Boogie Down Productions due to the ids 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 & Fly Ty for the correct information on this. Rest in Peace Mr. Magic.
- DJ Premier
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