(October 9, 1979 – April 26, 2014)

Man, this one really hurt, deep down inside! Words could never, ever, ever, ever, convey… Too soon, too soon… However, his musical legacy will live on forever. The world is going to miss out on a LOT of amazing music. His growth as an artist has been ridiculous. What had to be coming next was going to be absolutely nothing but mind-blowing.

Double Cup, one of the best albums of 2013, is a musical masterpiece, stretching the boundaries of what constitutes juke/footwork. His influence on so many artists that I absolutely love, most notably Machinedrum and Addision Groove, was extraordinary, pushing them to push their musical boundaries. Machinedrum’s Room(s), another masterpiece, wouldn’t exist without DJ Rashad in my opinion. Jay Dee AKA J Dilla often gets praised for being the best at flipping a sample, but DJ Rashad could stand right beside him and flip it just as well. Some of his flips are just down right miraculous… Just listen to Case’s “Touch Me Tease Me” and then listen to “Only One” from Double Cup. How did he do that?!

The Juke/Footwork genre and evident influence (mentioned above) have been the only new music lately that really puts a smile in my heart, and DJ Rashad was THE ONE. I looked forward to his releases like it was Christmas or my birthday.

I have to thank Planet Mu and Mike Paradinas for introducing me to this genre with the Bangs & Works Vol. 1 compilation. From there, I couldn’t get enough juke/footwork. The energy is incredible; I got it and understood Paradinas’ push! When I discovered DJ Rashad, his music was the one that stood out from the crowd for me. Obviously, there are others (DJ Diamond and DJ Spinn) who are also very good, but in the words of Highlander, there can only be one…

Lecture: DJ Rashad & DJ Spinn (Madrid 2011) from Red Bull Music Academy on Vimeo.

Playlist:

Let U No (feat Spinn) – DJ Rashad – Double Cup – [Hyperdub]
Rashad – DJ Rashad – Itz Not Rite EP – [Planet Mu]
Say Yes – Floetry – Floetic – [DreamWorks Urban]
Broken Heart (Martyn DCM RMX) VS DJ RASHAD & DJ MANNY EDIT – TRG / Martyn – [Soundcloud]
Only One (feat Spinn & Taso) – DJ Rashad – Double Cup – [Hyperdub]
Touch Me Tease Me – Case – Case – [RAL]
Double Cup (feat Spinn) – DJ Rashad – Double Cup – [Hyperdub]
Make It Worth – Alix Perez, DJ Rashad and DJ Spinn – U EP – [Exit Records]
She A Go (feat Spinn & Taso) – DJ Rashad – Double Cup – [Hyperdub]
Damn Ma – DJ Rashad – Send It Up – [Juke Trax Online]
The Walk – The Time – What Time Is It? – [Warner Bros.]
Drums Please – DJ Rashad – Rollin EP – [Hyperdub]
Walk It Out (Slip Away Remix) – DVA, DJ Rashad – Mad Hatter EP – [Hyperdub]
The Third Eye – Roy Ayers – Evolution: The Polydor Anthology – [Universal Motown Records Group]
Look to the Sky – DJ Rashad & Boylan – Look to the Sky EP – [Juke Trax Online]
The D – DJ Rashad – Jukestacy – [Juke Trax Online]
Do My Thang (Teklife Remix) – 7 Days Of Funk – Do My Thang – [Stones Throw]
Walk For Me – DJ Rashad – TEKLIFE Vol. 1: Welcome to the Chi – [Lit City Trax]
Let Me Baby – DJ Spinn and DJ Rashad – TEKLIFE Vol.2: What You Need – [Lit City Trax]
CCP – DJ Rashad – TEKLIFE Vol. 1: Welcome to the Chi – [Lit City Trax]
I’m Too Hi (feat Earl) – DJ Rashad – Double Cup – [Hyperdub]
Leavin (feat Manny) – DJ Rashad – Double Cup – [Hyperdub]
Everyday Of My Life (feat DJ Phil) – DJ Rashad – Double Cup – [Hyperdub]
In Da Club Before Eleven O’ Clock – DJ Rashad – Juke Trax Online Vol. 13 – [Juke Trax Online]
On Tha Move – DJ Rashad – Get It Shorty – [Juke Trax Online]
Way I Feel – DJ Manny, DJ Rashad – I Don’t Give a Fuck – [Hyperdub]
Be Happy – Mary J. Blige – My Life – [Geffen]
It’s Your Love – Ethel Beatty – Classic Rare Groove: Definitive Mastercuts, Vol. 1 – [Mastercuts]
Love You – DJ Rashad & DJ Lucky – Just a Taste – [Ghettophiles]
Ghetto Soul – DJ Rashad – Juke Trax Online Vol. 3 – [Juke Trax Online]
Chicago – DJ Rashad – TEKLIFE Vol. 1: Welcome to the Chi – [Lit City Trax]
Chicago Chicago – Secret Ingredients – DJ Sneak – Back In The Box – [NRK Music]
Let It Go – DJ Rashad – Rollin EP – [Hyperdub Records]
Brighter Dayz – DJ Rashad & DJ Spinn – I Don’t Give a Fuck – [Hyperdub]
Everybody – DJ Rashad, Freshmoon – I Don’t Give a Fuck – [Hyperdub]
Make it Rain – DJ Rashad – Party Pleaser’s EP – [Juke Trax Online]
Big Ole But – DJ Rashad – Jukestacy – [Juke Trax Online]
Broken Hearted – DJ Rashad – Rollin EP – [Hyperdub Records]
Well Well Well – DJ Rashad – TEKLIFE Vol. 1: Welcome to the Chi – [Lit City Trax]
Brand New Feeling – Roy Ayers – Searching – [Rapster Records]
Feelin’ – DJ Rashad – TEKLIFE Vol. 1: Welcome to the Chi – [Lit City Trax]
Feelin (feat Spinn & Taso) – DJ Rashad – Double Cup – [Hyperdub]
Baby – DJ Rashad – Itz Not Rite EP – [Planet Mu]
What That Neck Do – DJ Rashad – Get It Shorty – [Juke Trax Online]
Gypsy Woman (She’s Homeless) (Strip To The Bone Mix) – Crystal Waters – Mercury
Stick Up feat. Brenmar – DJ Rashad & DJ Manny – [Lite City Trax]
Pop Them Thangs – DJ Rashad – Juke Trax Online Vol. 4 – [Juke Trax Online]
DJ Rashad & DJ Spinn Lecture – RBMA 2011 – [RBMA]