Anthony “Grand Master Roc Raida”  Williams recently passed away on Saturday, September 19th, after health complications, originating from a mixed martial arts accident.  There is no way to easily summarize the impact made and legacy left behind by a man known the world over as one to the greatest turntablists to ever step foot on a stage. As a mostly New York native (until a recent move to Maryland), Williams represented much of the early birth of the type of turntable acrobatics that have been associated with DJs such as Q-Bert, A-Trak, Craze, and many other DMC champions.

In 1995, he became the 1st New Yorker to ever hold the title of DMC champion and was instantly inducted into the DMC/Technics Hall of Fame. From there, Roc Raida went on to change the way many viewed the art of spinning records, from his ground-breaking work with the X-Men and the X-ecutioners to his later work as Busta Rhymes’s touring DJ, he helped define the way to rock the party.

His passing has effected many in a year that has been tumultuous in terms of losing musical icons much too soon. However, his uncanny ability on the decks and tenacity toward the craft, will undoubtedly push and influence a new crop of DJs to hone their craft and take it to the next level.

For those in the New York area, there will be a service and viewing held on Thursday, September 24, 2009:

Mount Neboh Baptist Church

1883 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. (W. 114th St. & 7th Ave.), New York, 10026

Viewing: 10-Noon/Funeral starting at Noon

Photos by: Ace Knuckles

At Rock the Bells in San Bernadino, it was a great day to be in California. Backdropped by a characteristically Californian 86-degree sun,  hip-hop enthusiasts were blessed with performances from some of Cali’s best: La Coka Nostra, Cypress Hill, Evidence, Alchemist, and Ice Cube.  They shared stages with Nas, Damien Marley, The Roots, Reflection Eternal, Slum Village, Busta Rhymes, Big Boi, Murs, Pete Rock, Raekwon, RZA, and GZA among others who rocked both stages for almost 11 hours straight.

Main stage performer Tech N9ne, who is releasing his 10th studio album K.O.D. this Fall, shared what keeps his stage show kinetic. “[You have to] keep the energy up…it has to be ‘out of this world’ because ‘out of this world’ will never depreciate.”  The energy from this Rock the Bells tour has already led to a Slaughterhouse + Tech N9ne tour this October.

Ice Cube closed the show and summoned up enough West Coast love to resurrect Tupac. I knew he struck a cord when our photographer started crip-walking (no lie!). If you missed the festival, you can live vicariously through the photos after the jump

Hello my name is…
Clinton Sparks.

Aka…
Mr. Get Familiar.

I was raised in…
Boston. Dorchester to be specific.

The reason that you’re reading about me is…
I’m a DJ, producer, songwriter, and a TV and radio personality.

I work for…
Myself, The Daily 10 on E!, Body English in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, and the fans.

Right now I’m working on…
Ludacris, Beyonce, Colby O’Donis, and Bun B’s albums, as well as my album and my new artist Supastar L.T.’s album. Also working on music with Akon, Ne-Yo and the PCD’s.

But I’d rather be…
I’m doing exactly what I want to be doing in my life, if I wasn’t I wouldn’t be doing it.

I’ve worked with…
Akon, Diddy, Luda, Bun B, Busta Rhymes, Kanye West, Clipse, Kardinal Offishall…

I’d love to work with…
Teddy Riley, Weezer, Pink, Jay-Z and anybody open minded and willing to experiment with new ideas and sounds.

My most prized possessions are…
My family, my team (Daouda: manager, Kamau: engineer, DJ BK: assistant engineer), and my ability to understand different personalities and deal with irrational, difficult people.

The first thing I do in the morning is…
When I’m at home: put my contacts in, have breakfast with my son, vacuum my studio, then get to work. When I’m on the road: check my Blackberry, then get to work.

The last thing I do at night is…
When I’m at home: turn off my equipment and check out some online porn. When I’m on the road: I check out some porn then lie down and fall asleep watching TV.

I can’t travel without…
My Blackberry and laptop.

My momma always said…
I don’t know. I didn’t listen to her much, except when she yelled, “Turn that music down!”

I love it when people…
Help each other out and show courtesy to one another.

I can’t stand when people…
Are unappreciative—it’s disgusting.

I have too many…
Things I want to accomplish and friends.

I don’t have enough…
Time or real friends.

I spend too much money on…
My house and plane tickets.

The most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen is…
My son being born.

The ugliest thing I’ve ever seen is…
My wife’s face while that was happening! Just joking, she was beautiful.

I really should…
Hurry up and finish recording my album so I can be making more records for other people.

If you ever see me walking down the street…
I’m in a rush, so it wouldn’t be the best time to get my attention with an “I’m the hottest artist in the world” speech.

My most notable run-in with the law…
Was when I was in the judge’s chambers and the judge gave the plaintiff the choice of me going to juvenile prison or home after I was caught breaking in her house and was going to mash her with a frying pan in order to get out of the house, but she walked by without noticing me so I made a break for it. She told the judge let me go home. Bless her heart!

If I had to say sorry it would be because…
I spend all my time working. That’s the reason I wrote the “Sorry Blame It On Me” record with Akon. It’s a true story!

The last time I swore I’d never drink was after a night of…
Watching my dad as a kid almost kill my mom when he was drunk when I was 5. I decided I would never drink. If there is more negative than positive with something, then I want nothing to do with it.

You can catch me…
On The Daily 10 on E! every Tuesday at 7:30 and midnight, at Smashtime Saturdays at Body English in Las Vegas, every week on my worldwide syndicated radio show Smashtime radio (also on Shade 45 on SIRIUS and smashtimeradio.com), smashing down a club in your country or city, and on clintonsparks.com.

Future projects and plans…
My album is coming out soon, Supastar L.T.’s album, announcing my first major record deal and a massive new mixtape I’m dropping on 2008 featuring Ludacris, Rick Ross, Jim Jones, Akon, Clipse, Yung Joc, Kardinal Offishal, Busta Rhymes…

And before I leave I’d like to give a shout out to…
Everyone that enjoys what I do and comes to the clubs I smash, bumps my mixtapes, and anyone that has ever told anyone else to get familiar with Clinton Sparks. Thank you!