Music veterans Nas, Just Blaze, DJ Premier, Rev Run and more hip-hop heavyweights have come forward to pay homage to the memory of late producer Larry Smith Friday (December 19).
A flurry of messages honoring the hip-hop vet flooded Twitter shortly after news of his unexpected death emerged.
RIP Larry Smith & Jam Master Jay.
Pioneers. http://t.co/UGi9qI5l0t— Nasir Jones (@Nas) December 19, 2014
Rip to the greatest hip hop producer of all times…. Larry Smith. Produced my biggest and most significant hits..
— Rev Run (@RevRunWisdom) December 19, 2014
R.I.P. Larry Smith…One of my inspirations of a Producer from RUN-DMC, Whodini, Kurtis Blow, Orange Krush…A style like no other
— DJ Premier (@REALDJPREMIER) December 19, 2014
Truly saddened by the Larry Smith news. One of my biggest inspirations and a huge reason why I make music. Rest in Peace, legend. 😞
— Crime Rhyme Houdini (@JustBlaze) December 19, 2014
Whenever I brought him up in interviews, writers would be like "umm who?" Dude was real pioneer and genius who never got his just due..
— Crime Rhyme Houdini (@JustBlaze) December 19, 2014
Check out who else reacted to the sad news right here…
RIP Larry Smith #QueensAllDay http://t.co/IMKOOBnd65
— Consequence (@ItsTheCons) December 19, 2014
https://twitter.com/QtipTheAbstract/status/546005715761246208
https://twitter.com/QtipTheAbstract/status/546007120433672195
Reports claim medical complications from a past stroke may have ended his life early.
Pioneering hip-hop producer Larry Smith has died at the age of 63. Radio host Combat Jack broke the news via Twitter, reporting that Smith passed on Thursday night. Smith had reportedly been in ill health since suffering a stroke in 2007 that left him unable to speak. (SPIN)
After a legacy which included working with music icons Run-DMC and Kurtis Blow, Smith’s life came to an unexpected end this week at the age of 63.
Smith co-produced Run-D.M.C.’s incalculably influential first two albums (Run-D.M.C. and King of Rock) alongside Russell Simmons. Additionally, he produced two albums from seminal hip-hop crew Whodini, including their signature song “Freaks Come Out at Night.” (Billboard)
No comments? Wow. Kids gotta do they history. True pioneer.
I was just reading about Larry Smith a few weeks ago, and had no idea he produced some much for Run DMC. Definitely a legend even though I was late to figure it out. R.I.P.
Also did early Whodini classics.
These lame kids suck, they follow only what whitey big up smh, I waited to see what the reaction would be and these bitches are no where to be found, q-tip need to school you fuck boys. Rip to the first super producer in hip hop, the original mr smith yell