New York City, NY – The Hip Hop community is in mourning after learning DJ Spinbad has passed away. According to NME, the legendary New York City turntablist and radio DJ died on Tuesday (November 10), although a cause of death has yet to be revealed.
Canadian comedian Russell Peters, who enlisted Spinbad as his tour DJ for many years, confirmed his passing with an Instagram post.
“This is a post I had hoped I’d never have to make but it’s with a broken heart that I have to say, bye to my brother, my friend, my DJ, one of the most creative and brilliant minds I’ve ever known,” he wrote alongside several photos of Spinbad. “I can’t believe you’re not here anymore.
“Trying to find the right pictures of us has me all fucked up and crying, because we have waaaay too many memories together… I love you my brother and I don’t know how to keep it together…#RIPDjSpinbad #MyBrother.”
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This is a post I had hoped I’d never have to make but it’s with a broken heart that I have to say, bye to my brother, my friend, my DJ, one of the most creative and brilliant minds I’ve ever known… i can’t believe you’re not here anymore… trying to find the right pictures of us has me all fucked up and crying, because we have waaaay too many memories together… I love you my brother and I don’t know how to keep it together… #RIPDjSpinbad #MyBrother
Spinbad released numerous projects over the years, including 2001’s Underground Airplay Vol. 1.0 and 2004’s FabricLive 14. He also pumped out an impressive string of mixtapes beginning with 1995’s Rock The Cashbah (The ’80s Megamix) and culminating with 2013’s Live From India. Aside from Peters, Spinbad has also toured with electronic artist Moby and produced one of the albums in the FabricLive series.
Peters’ sentiments are being echoed across social media by numerous Hip Hop legends. Everyone from El-P of Run The Jewels and The Alchemist to A-Trak and R.A The Rugged Man are sending their condolences on Twitter.
Fellow DJ Skratch Bastid tweeted, “RIP DJ Spinbad. This one hurts man. Great dude. Big contributor to the culture. Family man. Fun person. Show love to someone you appreciate today.” Meanwhile, DJ Clark Kent took his sorrow to Instagram and wrote, “Rest In Power To The Great DJ Spinbad. My Condolence To His Family & Friends.”
Spinbad is reportedly survived by his wife and two children. He was 46 years old. Check out some of the reactions to his passing below.
My dude with da angels ? Rest In Power DJ Spinbad pic.twitter.com/nA4CRNzrcp
— PETEROCK.COM (@PeteRock) November 11, 2020
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Rest In Power To The Great DJ Spinbad • My Condolence To His Family & Friends •
rest in peace DJ Spinbad ❤️
— el-p (@therealelp) November 11, 2020
RIP the great DJ Spinbad.
— Alchemist Type Beat (@Alchemist) November 11, 2020
RIP DJ Spinbad. This one hurts man. Great dude. Big contributor to the culture. Family man. Fun person. Show love to someone you appreciate today.
— Bastid. (@SkratchBastid) November 11, 2020
REST IN PEACE to NYC's own DJ SPINBAD. Super talent and innovator. Damn.
— R.A. the Rugged Man (@RAtheRuggedMan) November 11, 2020
Rest In Peace @djspinbad. One of the dopest DJ's on the planet & all around good man. Your skills, presence, & brotherhood is truly going to be missed. We love you bro….
— rhettmatic (@rhettmatic) November 11, 2020
Glad to have known you. Appreciate our talks, meeting up in the most random cities in the world. Your mixtape methods were GENIUS and inspiring. Rest easy legend #DJSPINBAD
— Shortkut (@Shortkut) November 11, 2020
damn. RIP DJ Spinbad. it’s been a minute since we last spoke. I wish that wasn’t the case. safe travels. pic.twitter.com/DtwV7IQ4Vr
— The Sicilian Shooter (Saifullah) (@vinnie_paz) November 11, 2020
Man… I have no words.
RIP @djspinbad— DJ Z-TRIP (@ztrip) November 11, 2020
Damn, RIP DJ SPINBAD ? legendary talent
— Kibbutzy Collins (@atrak) November 11, 2020
This is unbelievable. Rest In Peace to the legend, one of the greatest DJs and a great person @djspinbad ???❤️ pic.twitter.com/qZQyLq89v1
— DJ Spider (@deejayspider) November 11, 2020
please tell me this isn’t real ?
— djriddler (@djriddler) November 11, 2020
20 years ago. We took it there bro…luv and respect 4ever @djspinbad https://t.co/UNOjRVcuth
— DJ Revolution (@DJRevolution) November 11, 2020
yea russel confirmed it
— DJ E-Rock (@DJERock) November 11, 2020
DAMN!!! S.I.P KING ? @djspinbad ONE OF THE BEST DJ’S OF ALL TIMES NEW YORK CITY ? AND ABROAD ALL OVER THE WORLD ????? @ New York, New York https://t.co/VVgikAXGgC
— DJ MIGHTY MARC (@dj_mightymarc) November 11, 2020