Randy Savage (Born Randall Poffo)
November 15, 1952 – May 20, 2011
Macho Man Randy Savage was more commonly known as a wildly flamboyant WWF professional wrestler who held no fewer than 30 championship belts. But Savage also made a mark on popular music as well. In 2003, Savage released his only album, a rap collection entitled, Be A Man that included the hit “diss” on Hulk Hogan of the same name. The CD comes highly recommended by no less than indie-rock darling, Devendra Banhart by way of a 2007 Stereogum interview. On May 20, 2011, Savage suffered a heart attack while driving his jeep in Florida. After losing control of the vehicle, he crossed the median and crashed into a tree. His wife, who was also in the car, suffered minor injuries. Randy Savage died of his injuries at a local hospital. He was 58.
Thanks to Stephen Brower of the Silent Majority for the help
M-Bone was a Los Angeles rapper and member of up-and-coming hip-hop group, Cali Swag Disrict. Formed in 2010, the group scored a hit with “Teach Me How To Dougie,” which ultimately cracked the the Top 30 on the Billboard singles chart. Recently signed to Capitol Records, Cali Swag District’s debut album is slated to be released in 2011. M-Bone was shot and killed during an apparently random drive-by shooting outside an Inglewood, California liquor store on May 15, 2011. He was 22.
Corey McGriff, who was known professionally as DJ Megatron, was an up-and-coming radio and television personality who is perhaps best remembered as a DJ on New York City’s Hot97, and for his regular appearances on BET’s 106th and Park. Over the course of his young rising career, McGriff also worked at KISS-FM in New York, HOT 97.7 in Boston, and 100.3 The Beat in Philadelphia. He also dabbled in acting, appearing in such films as Blood Of A Champion and State Property 2. In the early hours of March 27, 2011, Corey McGriff was shot and killed near his Staten Island home. No other information was immediately released.
Bobby Robinson was a pioneering R&B and later, hip-hop record producer, as well as a longtime record store owner. He opened Bobby’s Record Shop in 1946, making it the first Black-owned business on Harlem’s famous 125th Street. The store and cultural landmark remained open until he was forced to close in 2008 due to his landlord’s desire to raze and rebuild at that spot. As a producer, Robinson had a hand in creating a string of R&B and hip-hop hits that stretched from the early ’50s through the mid ’80s. The list of greats that he enjoyed success with includes Gladys Knight & The Pips, 
Sean “The Captain” Carasov was a respected music industry executive who launched his career in the mid ’80s. In those early years he acted as the Beastie Boys’ road manager and more – working for Russell Simmons at the time – on the inaugural tour. If there was ever a “fourth Beastie,” by all accounts, it might very well have been Carasov. An expert on and lover of hip-hop, he had no difficulty landing A&R gigs at such labels as Jive, Atlantic and Mammoth just as the genre was starting to explode. His successes include signing A Tribe Called Quest and curating the popular Menace II Society soundtrack. Carasov also contributed numerous articles to music magazines from France to Japan. In later years, he handled music supervision for the film, American Pimp and was did A&R for ARTISTdirect Records. Sean Carasov was 48 when he took his own life on October 30, 2010.
Huddy Combs, also known professionally as Huddy 6 was a respected hip hop performer and promoter based out of Harlem, New York. Combs’ entry into the music business came via Ma$e’s rap group, Harlem World. He can be heard on their 1999 release, The Movement. Combs was childhood friend of fellow rapper Cam’ron, and reportedly once saved his life after the latter was shot outside a party. Huddy Combs was involved in and automobile accident on New York City’s George Washington Bridge in the early hours of October 13, 2010. He died at the scene.
DJ AM was found dead in his New York apartment at 5:20 local time on Augutst 28, 2009. Cause of death was not initially released, but on September 29, 2009, the coroner’s report was made public. In it, it was concluded that Goldstein died of acute intoxication, or accidental overdose of various drugs including cocaine, Xanax and OxyContin. DJ AM first came to prominence in the late ’90s rock band, Crazy Town, whose “Butterfly” was a radio hit in 2001. A popular DJ with celebrities, he’s been known to play parties for the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Madonna and Will Smith. In recent years DJ AM was collaborating with Travis Barker of Blink 182. The two survived a horrific private plane crash on September 19, 2008. Four others were killed in the crash. In 2005, DJ AM was engaged to Nicole Richie but the engagement was later called off.
Scott “La Rock” Sterling was a social worker and DJ when he met rapper KRS-One in 1986. The two along with D-Nice, formed rap group Boogie Down Productions in 1986. The group helped usher in what would later be called gansta rap with their gritty songs that married dancehall reggae with hip hop. Their debut hit album, Criminal Minded is considered a cornerstone of the genre. Scott Sterling died in a hospital operating room shortly after being shot by alleged hoods in the South Bronx. He was just 25.
Coming to prominence in the Detroit’s underground rap scene of the ’90s, Baatin was part of the popular rap group, Slum Village. The group released several albums throughout it’s career, including a couple for Capitol Records. Baatin left the group in 2002 due to undisclosed health reasons. He passed away at the age of 35 on July 31, 2009. Cause of death was not been released.
Khia Edgerton, aka DJ K-Swift was a popular Baltimore area DJ. She died after fracturing her neck in what was ruled a swimming accident when she dived into her backyard pool. Edgerton first interned at local radio station 92Q, while in college, and soon went to work for them full time. In 1998, she began co-hosting a program which became Baltimore’s highest rated radio show. Edgerton was also a popular draw at the local clubs and owned her own label, graphics company and management company. She was 27 when she died.
The Music's Over 