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Roc Raida (Zoo York Mixtape)
I don't have anything particularly meaningful to add to all of the various tributes that have already come out in the wake of Roc Raida's passing this weekend, so instead I just wanted to put up a few of my favorite clips. Unlike a lot of battle dj's who get so focused on their routines that they forget there's a crowd in front of them and just keep their heads down the whole time, Raida always played to the audience with his bodytricks, cutting records with his back to the tables, scratching with his elbows, crossfading with his teeth, even juggling beats with his eyes closed. One of the best to ever do it.
Roc Raida at the '96 DMC finals
1995 DMC Finals (peep the blind beat drop at 1:32)
Roc Raida vs. Lord Finesse
Gasface just did an interview with Lord Finesse over the weekend discussing the battle, which you can see over here.
Juggling Chief Rocka
New Music Seminar 1991
Finally, here's footage from a performance that he did with the Scratch Academy a few years ago in Australia that seemed a rather fitting way to pay tribute:
"Instead of a Rest in Peace I want you all to make alotta noise.."
9/20/2009 9:00:51 AM posted by Fresh