Mr. Magic hosted the first hip-hop show on a major radio station with Marley Marl as his assistant starting in 1983 on New York City’s WBLS. His radio show was a sign of hip-hop’s beginning ascension to dominate pop culture in the following years. Mr. Magic’s Rap Attack was an inspiration to several hip-hoppers including Whodini who used their song “Magic Wand” as a tribute and promotional tool for him. Tupac, Biggie and Nas referenced him on their songs “Thug Style,” “R U Still Down (Remember Me)” “Old School,” “Juicy” and “Halftime.” Magic was last heard on the video game ‘Grand Theft Auto: Vice City’ as a DJ on the mythical ‘Wildstyle Pirate Radio. Unfortunately Magic government name John Rivas died yesterday of a heart attack. Check two interviews he did in 1995 with HipHopmusic.com and the interview Dan Charnas did with him in 2007 for his upcoming book “The Big Payback: The History Of The Business of Hip-Hop.
