Anthony Williams, better known as Grand Master Roc Raida died on Saturday September 19th, due complications stemming from a mixed-martial-arts accident. According to a statement released by his family, Raida “has been practicing [martial arts] for several years” and had been “in great spirits” in the days before unforeseen complication arose and suddenly led to his death.
Raida, a deejay from New York, released seven solo albums and had a career that spanned through two decades. He was also well known as a member of The X-Ecutioners, a group of deejays formed in the early nineties.
Though he was most recently recognized as the deejay for Busta Rhymes’ shows, the 37-year-old was a producer and a pioneer of turntablism.
A memorial service for Raida will be held in Harlem on Thursday Sept. 24th at MT Nebo Baptist Church. The viewing will run from 10am to 12:30pm, immediately followed by the service, which is scheduled to end at 3pm.
Written by Shaira B.
