Died On This Date (July 18, 2012) Ms. Melodie / Boogie Down Productions

Ms. Melodie (Born Ramona Scott)
DOB Unknown – July 18, 2012

Ramona Scott, known professionally as Ms. Melodie, was a rapper and MC who was part of her one-time husband, KRS-One’ s group, Boogie Down Productions.  She remained with the outfit until their divorce in 1992.  Born in Brooklyn, New York, Scott released her first 12″ record, “Hype According To Ms. Melodie” in 1988.  She followed that up with her one and only album, the mostly KRS-One produced, Diva in 1989.  The album featured the hits, “Live On Stage” and “Wake Up, Wake Up,” which cracked the top 20 of Billboard’s Rap Singles Chart. Both received significant video airplay on MTV and other outlets.  On July 18, 2012, it was announced that Ramona Scott passed away earlier that day.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Paul Bearer for the assist.

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Died On This Date (August 27, 1987) Scott La Rock / Boogie Down Productions

Scott “La Rock” Sterling
March 2, 1962 – August 27, 1987

larockjpgScott “La Rock” Sterling was a social worker and DJ when he met rapper KRS-One in 1986.  The two along with D-Nice, formed rap group Boogie Down Productions in 1986.  The group helped usher in what would later be called gansta rap with their gritty songs that married dancehall reggae with hip hop. Their debut hit album, Criminal Minded is considered a cornerstone of the genre.   Scott Sterling died in a hospital operating room shortly after being shot by alleged hoods in the South Bronx.  He was just 25.

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By All Means Necessary - Boogie Down Productions

Died On This Date (October 2, 2009) John Rivas aka Mr. Magic / Pioneering Hip-Hop Disc Jockey

Mr. Magic (Born John Rivas)
DOB Unknown – October 2, 2009

MrMagicMr. Magic was a New York City disc jockey who helped bring hip-hop and rap to a much wider audience during the early ’80s.  Premiering on WBLS in 1983, Mr. Magic’s “Rap Attack” program was the first to ever play hip hop exclusively on any major radio station in the U.S.  For the next six years, the show helped launch the careers of  such artists as WhodiniMarley Marl and Boogie Down Productions.  He was also noted as an influence on the likes of Tupac Shakur and the Notrorius B.I.G. Younger generations may recoginize his name and voice as the DJ on Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.  Mr. Magic died of a heart attack on October 2, 2009.