Cutting and scratching completely legal in DJing, not so much in MMA. Image: Sweded.

Dearly Departed: DMC Hall Of Famer and hip-hop producer Anthony “DJ Roc Raida” Williams, 1972-2009.

Cause Of Death: Surgical complications from an MMA injury.

Greatest Achievement: Doing things with two turntables and a cross-fader that bordered on superhuman.

Roc Raida’s was a death announced on Twitter, as roaring rap legend Busta Rhymes lamented the loss of his personal DJ and a revolutionary figure in the field of beat-juggling and scratching. Busta tweeted, “I never met a more humble man in the industry. So unbelievably talented and most importantly such beautiful spirit. I love you my brother.”

Over the last few years, Roc Raida had been mixing up his role as live DJ to Busta Rhymes and Spliff Star with a fervent interest in Mixed Martial Arts combat. He had injured his back during training and was recovering from a second surgery at an inpatient physical therapy facility when he unexpectedly passed away.

Roc Raida first came to prominence as part of New York turntable crew The X-Men, who were soon forced by Marvel Comics to change their name to The X-Ecutioners. Roc Raida himself won the DMC World DJ Championships in 1995 with lightning-fast scratching, brain-boggling beat-juggling and a fine ear for splicing up classic hip-hop sounds.

He went on to release six albums of beats and took part in another six with The X-Ecutioners; their final 2005 album a collaboration with ex-Faith No More singer and professional musical weirdo Mike Patton for his Ipecac record label. Not merely content to tear up the vinyl, Roc Raida produced beats and worked with Ghostface Killah, Jungle Brothers and Linkin Park.

Listening to his work was often disorienting but the true beauty of his skills were revealed when you watched him produce the mish-mash. The bandy brother was a true showman, as nimble and fluid as his cuts, often manipulating the records from behind his back or looping his arms under his knees. Here he is with the spins and scratches that earned him the title of Grandmaster at the 1995 DMC World DJ Championship.

He was inducted into the DMC Hall Of Fame alongside legends such as Grandmaster Flash, Jam Master Jay and Afrika Bambaataa in 1999. Roc Raida is survived by his wife and three daughters.

He will be missed.