Beastie Boys’ Former DJ Says Rock Hall of Fame Is Forgetting the DJ

2012-01-27

Story by Anne Erickson

DJ Hurricane speaks out about the role of DJs in rock

Beastie Boys broke out in the ‘80s and ‘90s with their revolutionizing mix of post-punk, hip-hop and rock, and the guys are getting honored for that innovation this year with an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

While the Boys are honored to get selected for the Rock Hall, longtime DJ Hurricane thinks the organization is missing his role — and DJs’ roles in rock music in general — in the group’s success.

Speaking with AllHipHop.com, he noted previous DJs who have been left out of their respective groups’ honors, such as DJ Spinderella of Salt n’ Pepa, and Eric B of Eric B and Rakim and Flavor Flav of Public Enemy.

“That’s how it was back then. When you look at Jam Master Jay and Run DMC- Jay wasn’t under contract on the first two albums,” DJ Hurricane told AllHipHop.com. Hurricane added that he joined the Boys in 1986, when the group were started to gain momentum and lost their original DJ while on tour with Run D.M.C., LL Cool J and Whoodini. He stayed with them until 1999, when they officially splintered.

Hurricane says that he wasn’t only a DJ for the Boys, but also had a hand in writing some tracks, including the chart-topper, “Sure Shot.”

“Ten months out of the year- I was on the road,” recalled DJ Hurricane. “And when you pull up the archive- I’m there. All I want is recognition, not money. A trophy would be correct; like a team that wins a Super Bowl; everyone gets a ring.” What are your thoughts on DJs’ roles in rock?

 




Anne Erickson
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Posted by Anne Erickson | Alternative, Music, Rock News

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