Died On This Date (May 20, 2011) Macho Man Randy Savage / Professional Wrestler & Rapper
themusicsover Randy Savage (Born Randall Poffo)
November 15, 1952 – May 20, 2011
Macho Man Randy Savage was more commonly known as a wildly flamboyant WWF professional wrestler who held no fewer than 30 championship belts. But Savage also made a mark on popular music as well. In 2003, Savage released his only album, a rap collection entitled, Be A Man that included the hit “diss” on Hulk Hogan of the same name. The CD comes highly recommended by no less than indie-rock darling, Devendra Banhart by way of a 2007 Stereogum interview. On May 20, 2011, Savage suffered a heart attack while driving his jeep in Florida. After losing control of the vehicle, he crossed the median and crashed into a tree. His wife, who was also in the car, suffered minor injuries. Randy Savage died of his injuries at a local hospital. He was 58.
Thanks to Stephen Brower of the Silent Majority for the assist.
M-Bone was a Los Angeles rapper and member of up-and-coming hip-hop group, Cali Swag Disrict. Formed in 2010, the group scored a hit with “Teach Me How To Dougie,” which ultimately cracked the the Top 30 on the Billboard singles chart. Signed to Capitol Records, Cali Swag District’s debut album was expected to be released in 2011. M-Bone was shot and killed during an apparently random drive-by shooting outside an Inglewood, California liquor store on May 15, 2011. He was 22.
Corey McGriff, who was known professionally as DJ Megatron, was an up-and-coming radio and television personality who is perhaps best remembered as a DJ on New York City’s Hot97, and for his regular appearances on BET’s 106th and Park. Over the course of his young rising career, McGriff also worked at KISS-FM in New York, HOT 97.7 in Boston, and 100.3 The Beat in Philadelphia. He also dabbled in acting, appearing in such films as Blood Of A Champion and State Property 2. In the early hours of March 27, 2011, Corey McGriff was shot and killed near his Staten Island home. No other information was immediately released.
Sean “The Captain” Carasov was a respected music industry executive who launched his career in the mid ’80s. In those early years he acted as the Beastie Boys’ road manager and more – working for Russell Simmons at the time – on the inaugural tour. If there was ever a “fourth Beastie,” by all accounts, it might very well have been Carasov. An expert on and lover of hip-hop, he had no difficulty landing A&R gigs at such labels as Jive, Atlantic and Mammoth just as the genre was starting to explode. His successes include signing A Tribe Called Quest and curating the popular Menace II Society soundtrack. Carasov also contributed numerous articles to music magazines from France to Japan. In later years, he handled music supervision for the film, American Pimp and was did A&R for ARTISTdirect Records. Sean Carasov was 48 when he took his own life on October 30, 2010.
Huddy Combs, also known professionally as Huddy 6 was a respected hip hop performer and promoter based out of Harlem, New York. Combs’ entry into the music business came via Ma$e’s rap group, Harlem World. He can be heard on their 1999 release, The Movement. Combs was childhood friend of fellow rapper Cam’ron, and reportedly once saved his life after the latter was shot outside a party. Huddy Combs was involved in and automobile accident on New York City’s George Washington Bridge in the early hours of October 13, 2010. He died at the scene.