Mr. Magic

An important figure in the world of hip-hop radio, Mr. Magic debuted in 1983 on WBLS-FM in New York City with the first exclusive rap radio show to be aired on a major station. Billing itself as Rap Attack, Magic's show featured Marley Marl as the DJ and Tyrone "Fly Ty" Williams as the show's co-producer. Magic's reign on the New york City airwaves lasted six years and was instrumental in broadening the scope and validity of hip-hop music. Magic also spent time as a producer, working on the Force MD's "Let Me Love You" and "Forgive Me Girl," as well as releasing a series of compilation albums from his radio show titled Mr. Magic's Rap Attack. Nearly 20 years after his radio debut, Mr. Magic made the transition to the digital realm and helmed Wildstyle, the rap channel for the new millennium's hottest video game, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. His early contributions to hip hop, both as a producer and performer, were documented by the Stones Throw label in 1994 on the collection Third Unheard: Connecticut Hip Hop 1979-1983.
© Steve Kurutz /TiVo