This Magic Moment

pi⋅o⋅neer- one who is first or among the earliest in any field of inquiry, enterprise, or progress

In the unwritten dictionary of Hip-Hop, if you look up the above definition, you are sure to find a picture of Mr. Magic himself along with a long list of his contributions to this thing we call Hip-Hop. Yes, the sun has set on one of the greats but I will not shed a tear in sadness. I'd rather give thanks for the door that he kicked wide open. You'd have to be from a certain era to understand how profound his life and achievements were. Rap Attack on WBLS was the first show designed with strictly Hip-Hop in mind. He repped it. He spun it. We tuned in eagerly...and we were not disappointed.

I came to New York in 1984 and fell instantly in love with what was known then as Rap music. And on the real- that is ONLY because of Mr. Magic. Saturday nights were not complete without listening to that show. If you were around back then you will clearly understand what Magic meant to Hip Hop. I am personally acquainted with heads who still have countless original tapes of his...because they recognized that what was happening was an important movement in music and culture. That was the pinnacle. It deserved preservation. It is because of Magic and his accomplishments on radio that a blog like Dope Beats and Door Knockas even exists, truthfully. I feel the loss and I'm not the only one.

This statement was released by DJ Premier shortly after the news of his death started to spread:

"I WANT TO SEND OUT THE UTMOST RESPECT AND CONDOLENCES TO THE MEMORY OF JOHN RIVAS—-aka MR. MAGIC

HE PASSED AWAY THIS MORNING OF A HEART ATTACK…..

TRUE HIP HOP HEADS KNOW THAT HIS HISTORY IS SO LONG
DUE TO HIM BEING THE FIRST RAP MIXSHOW TO EVER BE ON COMMERCIAL RADIO ON NEW YORK’S WBLS–(107.5) WITH MARLEY MARL AND FLY TY IN 1982-1984…….THEN WENT ON TO WHBI IN OCTOBER OF 1984 AND THEN
BACK TO WBLS in 1985 and WDAS in Philly SIMULTANEOUSLY

HE PAVED THE WAY FOR ALL RADIO STATIONS THAT EVER DID MIXSHOWS AND ALSO SPARKED THE CAREER OF BOOGIE DOWN PRODUCTIONS DUE TO THE DISS HE SHOWED WHEN THEY CAME TO SHOP THEIR DEMO TO HIM AND WAS TURNED AWAY WHICH THEN SPARKED “SOUTH BRONX” AND “THE BRIDGE IS OVER”…….

HE WAS KNOWN FOR HIS DIRECT AND SARCASTIC ATTITUDE ON THE AIR AND EVERY ARTIST WANTED HIS APPROVAL WHEN IT CAME TO BREAKING NEW RECORDS……..HE EVEN HAD SONGS DEDICATED TO HIM BY THE LEGENDARY WHODINI–(”MR. MAGIC’S WAND”) WHICH WAS SURPRISINGLY PRODUCED BY ONE OF MY FAVORITE ARTISTS THOMAS DOLBY…….

SHOUTS OUT TO MARLEY MARL AND FLY TY FOR THE CORRECT INFORMATION ON THIS……

REST IN PEACE MR. MAGIC"

ma·gi·cian-one who performs magic for entertainment or diversion; one whose formidable skill or art seems to be magical

Across the board, Mr. Magic holds his place in two very significant eras in Hip Hop.  The True Skool and the Golden Era.  I'm blessed enough to say that I was there for both.  He put everything on line because he believed in the music. He was fired and re-hired because he would not back down.  He knew what the people wanted and he delivered.  When his show came on, all of New York stopped what they were doing and tuned in. We all fell under the spell of Mr. Magic. We still feel his essence because he provided the soundtrack to our lives.  He brought with him unforgettable emcees and timeless classics. He was a true magician in one sense because we couldn't believe our ears and in another sense as well.  Because even with his sudden disappearance from us; he will continue to inspire awe with his wizardry.