Founding member of the Geto Boys, DJ Ready Red, has passed away. According to an Instagram video posted by fellow Geto Boy Willie D, he died of an apparent heart attack on Friday (August 24).
“Bad news,” he says. “DJ Ready Red died today of an apparent heart attack. Red was the Geto Boys’ first DJ and producer. He gave us our sound. He was responsible for most of the production on the early stuff and all of the production on my first album Controversy.
“To say he was a pioneer would be an understatement. Red was before his time. There’s a lot of producers today that are eating off of Red and don’t even know why their bellies are full.”
The Houston-bred Geto Boys was founded in the late ’80s and became a flagship artist of Rap-A-Lot Records.
Red produced the group’s first three albums, including 1988’s Making Trouble, 1989’s Grip It! On That Other Level and 1990’s official self-titled debut The Geto Boys.
In recent years, Red was noticeably absent from Geto Boys reunions, something he explained on the Murder Master Music Show in 2013.
“I was an artist and a producer on [Rap-A-Lot Records],” he began. “In the beginning, we all got paid evenly split four ways. When I came back, I was offered to do shows for like $100-$200. I was thinking, ‘Y’all must be crazy because I started this thing, and y’all are trying to do me like that,’ because I would never do y’all like that. I left [the group] because I got tired of the B.S. that was going on.
“I stood my ground … I have no regrets all these years later because I see that nothing has been accomplished. [J. Prince] still has all the money. Everybody has been through something dealing with this record company and nobody has anything. I’m glad I got out.”
Red was 53.
Condolences have started pouring in on social media from fans and peers alike, including Public Enemy’s Chuck D and Gang Starr legend DJ Premier.
Check out a few of those below.
RIP DJ Ready RED a true pioneer in the rap game !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He was a down to earth brother and willing to help out anyone he could. The last time we had a chat I told him I was going to Sunday service with him if I ever made it out Jersey this year. The lord had other plans. He will be missed. Rest in peace, bro.
REST IN POWER ” Musical Enforcer” A.k.a DJ Ready RED much RESPECT & LOVE
Who?
He’s DJ Ready Red, a founding member of the Geto Boys.
You are just repeating what you just read on the headline. You fuckin parrot, don’t act like you fuckin knew who he is before you read this shit.
Why are you so angry? Do you think you’re special?
Nah bro im a piece of shit but at least i acknowledge it, unlike these pompous fucks. Oh and also ain’t nobody ask for ur input You fuckin racist.
Racist? lol. How? You need to stop seeing race in everything, fkn clown.
Of course I knew who he was, I listened to Geto Boys. Just because you didn’t know who he was doesn’t mean you have to be mad at the world, you little bitch.
Another no knowledge hip hop listener. Don’t u feel proud?
I can imagine Willie DEE yelling G.B that’s the song of the day ! G.B for life
This is the guy who was like the first one to sample Tony Montana’s lines from the movie Scarface in a hiphop track.
It’s true
Respect to those that helped pave the way RIP fam…
“READY RED/ COMIN AT CHU/ HOLDIN MY GROUND LIKE A MUTHA FUCKIN’ STATUE!/ YOU TAKIN NOTHIN FROM ME, SO STOP TRIPPIN’/ ‘LESS YOU WANNA TAKE A MUTHA FUCKIN’ ASS WHIPPIN!!/ BITCH….MUTHAFUCK THE KKK!!/ WEARIN DRESSES N SHIT?/ WHAT THE FUCK? IS THEY GAY ?!?!? “—-from the song, “DO IT LIKE A G.O.”, 1989. Rest In Peace to the musical enforcer of the Geto Boys, DJ READY RED.
Rest In Beats, Reddy Red.
To the fools below goin back forth with each other,In words of DJ Ready RED – “I’ll bury U Cock Roaches!!!”.
REST IN PEACE O.G.