Hip-hop pioneer Kool DJ AJ has died. His close friend Kurtis Blow took to his Twitter account on Wednesday to confirm the passing of the musician.
The reason for his death, as well as his exact age, are still unknown at this point. However, back in July, Kurtis Blow and Rahiem of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five both tweeted that Kool DJ AJ had been diagnosed with stomach cancer.
Pray for Kool DJ AJ- stomach cancer
— Kurtis Blow (@KurtisBlow1) July 13, 2015
Wishing my legendary brother Kool DJ AJ a speedy recovery!!!!! Get Well Soon!!!!!!!! http://t.co/AuJYmQfaS9
— Rahiem Furious 5 (@Rahiem_Furious5) July 13, 2015
Born in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, Kool DJ AJ moved to Jacksonville, Florida after both his parents died before he was 13, where he was raised by his grandmother. He then relocated to New York.
According to an interview back in 2006 with Tha Foundation, via Hip Hop DX, Kool DJ AJ got his start in the music business as a promoter.
But he developed his reputation as a DJ after going to see Busy Bee perform in the Bronx, New York in the late 1970s.
Kool DJ AJ worked extensively with Blow throughout the 1980s, while he also DJ’d into the 1990s too. During this time, DJ AJ worked with a number of other artists, including Busy Bee. Kool DJ AJ retired for hip-hop in 2010.
The hip-hop community soon took to Twitter to showcase their adulation for Kool DJ AJ, as well as offering their deepest condolences to his friends and family.
RIP DJ AJ. Hip Hop Legend! https://t.co/DNk4gJfZeu — ICE T (@FINALLEVEL) September 9, 2015
Rip to my friend Kool DJ AJ https://t.co/pHZKDBCeMa
— Kurtis Blow (@KurtisBlow1) September 9, 2015
RIP to my DJ and friend Kool DJ AJ!!!! — Kurtis Blow (@KurtisBlow1) September 9, 2015
I put this Dj in front of my biggest crowds in the 70s and he never let me down Kool Dj AJ he was my… https://t.co/0TM4u9MPLp
— Grandmaster Flash (@DJFlash4eva) September 9, 2015
DJ AJ a great pioneer in the rap game has passed away to today. Amazing sweet spirited human being. God accept him into greater service — Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) September 9, 2015
My condolences to the family of AJ Scratch. http://t.co/rvdemENNJx
— TheRealPerceeP (@TheRealPerceeP) September 9, 2015
R.I.P. Kool DJ AJ. (photo courtesy of http://t.co/8kBuctjOfS and @ToolsofWarJams ) pic.twitter.com/XV8EVkgxzL — DJ Eclipse (@ItsDJEclipse) September 9, 2015
The legendary Kool DJ AJ has passed away – http://t.co/6MaIrN9FRk : http://t.co/WohLTcD3vQ
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) September 9, 2015
R.I.P to my legendary brother Kool DJ A.j. Prod-Aj Scratch. — Rahiem Furious 5 (@Rahiem_Furious5) September 9, 2015
My legendary brother Kool DJ AJ was always a stand-up dude and always treated me like his younger brother and… http://t.co/BnMl6CqTxV
— Rahiem Furious 5 (@Rahiem_Furious5) September 9, 2015
[Image via Instagram]
