From HipHopDX:
New York-based DJ, turntablism pioneer and instructor Roc Raida has died this weekend. The DJ was most known for his years with the award-winning X-Men a.k.a. The X-Ecutioners.
Roc Raida won numerous ITF and DMC championships for his turntable skills. Raida was an innovator in cut-throat deejay battles, known for his agile spin-moves and acrobatic cuts on the turntable--through legs, over the shoulder, and using his mouth to cut the fader.
Through his AdiarCor imprint, Roc Raida released over half a dozen CDs and DVDs, that were both mixtapes, documentaries and instructionals for aspiring DJs. His mixtapes are also remembered for their comedic interludes, often making mock commercials for malt liquors, car services and Jamaican nightclubs.
On records, Raida was present for The X-Ecutioners' 2002 album Built From Scratch, released on Loud/Sony Records. Previously, the DJ crew was infamously recruited by Rick Rubin for his Def American imprint, but failed to reach an agreement.
With his scratching abilities, Roc Raida worked on dozens of classic albums. Highlights include O.C.'s Word...Life, Big Pun's Capital Punishment, Buckshot Lefonque's self-titled debut and Immortal Technique's two Revolutionary volumes. As a producer, Roc Raida worked with numerous members of D.I.T.C. and Smif N' Wessun.
