Legendary producer Larry Smith has passed on after crafting hits for the likes of Run DMC, Whodini and Kurtis Blow during Hip-Hop’s earliest phase.
Smith was a Hip-Hop musician without peer, who used live instruments on rap songs.
Run of Run DMC immortalized Smith on the group’s#### record “Sucker MC’s” when he said, “Larry put me inside his Cadillac /The chauffeur drove off and we never came back.”
Smith had been ailing in recent years due to a stroke and succumbed on Friday December 19.
DMC of Run DMC fame paid his respects on Twitter. “Rest In Beats larry Smith Music In Your Heart hip Hop Was Your Gift to The World! No one does it better!”
At a recent concert stop in Brooklyn, Run paid his own respects.
“My man Larry Smith, he produced these records. It’s sad but fitting he passes away on the day I return to a big stage like this… I love you Larry, I hope you’re watching from Heaven and I’m making you proud,” Run said at the Barclays Center in downtown Brooklyn.
Legendary producer Larry Smith has passed away. http://t.co/LQes2jJ5nM @MrChuckD @THEKINGDMC @Whosthatladyinc pic.twitter.com/DNnZNh2N3I
— HipHopGods (@hiphopgods) December 19, 2014
Image: Gene Bagnato, courtesy of the Adler Hip-Hop Archive