DMC World Champion Cutmaster Swift Says Goodbye To The Grand Master…
This is a cruel world we live in.
Hi Johnny. A sad loss to the DMC and music world. Anthony Williams aka Roc Raida passing away due to complications from spinal injuries related to a martial arts accident. I know this is going to be a difficult set of questions, but we all loved this dude. DMC more than anyone in the world So where did you first meet?
“It is indeed I was in total shock when I got the news and I’m not ashamed to admit my eyes filled up”. “It was at the DMC 1995 World Championships. I first met Roc and was bowled over by how informed on the whole Turntablist scene he was from old to new. An amazing guy that you’d take an instant liking too, I’d heard so much about him and The X-Ecutioners or X-Men as they were know back then, but what really blew me away is how much he knew about us UK DJs. I remember him saying to his friend, “wow, I’m talking to Cutmaster Swift, a DMC World Champion, how he got his info about Pogo and myself was quite baffling as this was an era before the Internet. Raida really did his homework, he was just down to earth, we all bonded straight away.
Tell DMC what he brought to the world
a) as a person
“I consider myself very fortunate to know him as a person, most would say he was quiet and very likeable. But behind the scenes he was very wise, never bitter, so so, genuine.. I never saw him angry and also very comical I have so many fond memories; like when he got me very drunk in Rimini after the ’97 World Finals, those that know me know I don’t drink but Raida got me doing it, once you were in his circle, that was it, he instantly became a brother.
and
b) as a DJ.
“He was an animal. He was born to run those decks. and he’d let you know it, when he was knighted as a Grand Master I was so happy for him, we joked that he looked like young Flash and all knew he deserved it, the X-Men re-educated the whole scene, they were the pinnacle of Beat-Juggling, and set the standards that the likes of Craze and all those that came after even if they didn’t know it! The reaction, to this crews musical performances were head nodding, that’s how the crowd always reacted, people would just chant along to their sets! Raida & the X-Men played a major part in this constant evolving art form!”
Do you think he inspired bedroom spinners out there to put the needle on the record?
“Without a shadow of a doubt. Everybody at that time collected DMC videos the Internet or Youtube wasn’t mature and important as it now, so the X-Men; Roc Raida, Rob Swift, Mr Sinister & Total Eclipse were very conscious about who they were, they were kings of juggling & the Skratch Piklez; Q-Bert, Mixmaster Mike & Short Kut ruled the Scratches, it was these two crews that became the new foundations of this art form, most if not all of todays styles has a bit of Roc Raida’s influence in them even if they don’t know it! Musical arrangements & the attitude was always pushed first and the crew had a unqiue trade mark, which was to remove their shoes before performing!
What was his best ever set you witnessed?
“The best? He had so many but his ’96 DMC World title defence was magnificent, I was also in that competition and after I saw his set I just knew how un-prepared I was. Wow. It was the second time I actually wanted someone else to win, Cash Money was first in ’88, and then Raida! Lol.
Did you know his three daughters and wife?
Of course, Raida was a family man Dan, whenever I was in NY I’d call up Raida and say “Raida” & he’d reply “Swift” then I’d say guess “where I am” & he say “Dam Swift” they always made me feel welcomed. Back in 96 when I really got to know the X-Men, I went to Rob’s house and we all took part in a mini battle for supremacy which Rob won by the way, our friendship went outside of Turntablism too, they took me out to the cinema, we just hung out”. “The best memory those guys gave me was when they invited me to be on stage as an X-Man in their ultimate battle against The Scratch Picklez. Rob even mention how he wanted to form the X-Ecutioners back then as a international crew & wanted Pogo, Biznizz and myself involved! it was an honour.”
Raida did production work for Busta Rhymes, Big L, Ghostaface Killah, The Jungle Brothers and Linkin Park – what do you think was his best studio work?
“Everything he touched was Hip Hop!” but for me, the X-Excutioners first album raised them to another level as artists. the focus was on them, that LP took Hip Hop back to its tradition, the DJ and the rapper!
Johnny, every time you glance up into the sky and clouds, what message do you think of when giving Roc a message, something he will remember whilst partying with the angels…
“Scot La Rock & Jam Master Jay have a new ally, they are running those parties up there. Quite a team huh? Pogo came up with the idea of staging a special benefit over here as our tribute to Raida, his impact truly was global, we’re inviting all those that want to show how special Raida was to perform or display any pictures they care to share, we’ll post some contact info as soon as its confirmed. Finally I now know when I take a look up into the dark sky, Raida you are the brightest star up there…. rest in peace my brother, One Love!”
