Hip Hop Reacts to the Passing of Kool DJ AJ

Rap OGs pay respect to the legendary spinner.

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R.I.P. Kool DJ AJ - Hip hop pioneer Kool DJ AJ sadly succumbed this week after a bout with stomach cancer. Born Aaron Gerald O'Bryant, Kool DJ AJ made a name for himself as a party promoter during the late '70s and early '80s and eventually went on to cut up the wheels of steels for trailblazing MCs Busy Bee and Kurtis Blow.One of Blow's biggest hits, "The AJ Scratch," was written to pay homage to AJ's  turntable skills. Our condolences go out his family and check out some of the social media reaction his colleagues like Russell Simmons and Big Daddy Kane shared to say goodbye. —Michael Harris (@IceBlueVA)(Photo: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)

Kurtis Blow, @kurtisblow100 - Kurtis Blow saluted his DJ on the classic track "AJ Scratch" and remembered the man who helped him move the crowd back in the day."Rip my friend Kool DJ AJ"(Photo: Kurtis Blow via Instagram)

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Kurtis Blow, @kurtisblow100 - Kurtis Blow saluted his DJ on the classic track "AJ Scratch" and remembered the man who helped him move the crowd back in the day."Rip my friend Kool DJ AJ"(Photo: Kurtis Blow via Instagram)

Funkmaster Flex, @funkflex - Funkmaster Flex dropped a few bombs on his DJ O.G.."Kool Dj Aj Scratch..... Rest in peace... Love always... True pioneer.. One of the early super star DJs....@ajproduction #KOOLDJAJ #AJScratch#DJAJ" (Photo: Funkmaster Flex via Instagram)

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Funkmaster Flex, @funkflex - Funkmaster Flex dropped a few bombs on his DJ O.G.."Kool Dj Aj Scratch..... Rest in peace... Love always... True pioneer.. One of the early super star DJs....@ajproduction #KOOLDJAJ #AJScratch#DJAJ" (Photo: Funkmaster Flex via Instagram)

Rahiem Furious 5, @Rahiem_Furious5 - Rahiem of Grandmaster Flash and The Furious 5 remembered the good ol' days with Kool DJ AJ as they paved the way for generations to come."My legendary brother Kool DJ AJ was always a stand-up dude and always treated me like his younger brother and I'll never forget him!" (Photo: Rahiem Furious via Twitter)

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Rahiem Furious 5, @Rahiem_Furious5 - Rahiem of Grandmaster Flash and The Furious 5 remembered the good ol' days with Kool DJ AJ as they paved the way for generations to come."My legendary brother Kool DJ AJ was always a stand-up dude and always treated me like his younger brother and I'll never forget him!" (Photo: Rahiem Furious via Twitter)

Afrika Bambaataa/ Official Zula nation, @ZuluNation1973 - Afrika Bambaataa the Zulu Nation had a moment of silence for their fellow hip hop warrior. "Rest in peace Kool DJ AJ Scratch - May God grant him Paradise! @ajscratch2005" (Photo: Afrika Bambaataa, Zulu Nation via Twitter)

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Afrika Bambaataa/ Official Zula nation, @ZuluNation1973 - Afrika Bambaataa the Zulu Nation had a moment of silence for their fellow hip hop warrior. "Rest in peace Kool DJ AJ Scratch - May God grant him Paradise! @ajscratch2005" (Photo: Afrika Bambaataa, Zulu Nation via Twitter)

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DJ Premier, @djpremier - Premo gave Kool DJ AJ the ultimate shout out as he said his goodbye."R.I.P. To The Great Legend KOOL DJ AJ...Thanks For Teaching Us DJ's How To Keep The Skill Alive...#premierwuzhere"(Photo: DJ Premier via Instagram)

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DJ Premier, @djpremier - Premo gave Kool DJ AJ the ultimate shout out as he said his goodbye."R.I.P. To The Great Legend KOOL DJ AJ...Thanks For Teaching Us DJ's How To Keep The Skill Alive...#premierwuzhere"(Photo: DJ Premier via Instagram)

Grandmaster Flash, @djflash4eva - Grandmaster Flash had nothing but love and respect for his fellow turntabilist."I put this Dj in front of my biggest crowds in the '70s and he never let me down Kool Dj AJ he was my support Dj for more years than i can remember The Audobon Ballroom was the Triumph wowwwww Im gonna miss him."(Grandmaster Flash via Instagram)

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Grandmaster Flash, @djflash4eva - Grandmaster Flash had nothing but love and respect for his fellow turntabilist."I put this Dj in front of my biggest crowds in the '70s and he never let me down Kool Dj AJ he was my support Dj for more years than i can remember The Audobon Ballroom was the Triumph wowwwww Im gonna miss him."(Grandmaster Flash via Instagram)

Photo By Photo: Grandmaster Flash via Instagram

ICE T, @FINALLEVEL - The Original Gangster sent his condolences to the turntable great.(Photo: Ice T via Twitter)

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ICE T, @FINALLEVEL - The Original Gangster sent his condolences to the turntable great.(Photo: Ice T via Twitter)

Russell Simmons, @UncleRush - Uncle Rush sent his love to Kurtis Blow's former DJ. The three all share a storied history as Kurtis was one of the first groups that Russell managed and booked shows for. (Photo: Russell Simmons via Twitter)

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Russell Simmons, @UncleRush - Uncle Rush sent his love to Kurtis Blow's former DJ. The three all share a storied history as Kurtis was one of the first groups that Russell managed and booked shows for. (Photo: Russell Simmons via Twitter)

Chuck D, @MrChuckD - Public Enemy's leader gave a shout out to one his O.G.s who brought the noise.(Photo: Chuck D via Twitter)

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Chuck D, @MrChuckD - Public Enemy's leader gave a shout out to one his O.G.s who brought the noise.(Photo: Chuck D via Twitter)

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Funkmaster Flex, @funkflex - Hot 97's  Funkmaster Flex paid his respects to his DJ forefather.  "Rest in peace to Kool Dj Aj Scratch/ @ajproduction .... ( love this pic with his daughter ) pioneer ,legend and a guy with a great sense of humor....#AjScratch #KoolDjAj"(Photo: Funkmaster Flex via Instagram)

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Funkmaster Flex, @funkflex - Hot 97's  Funkmaster Flex paid his respects to his DJ forefather.  "Rest in peace to Kool Dj Aj Scratch/ @ajproduction .... ( love this pic with his daughter ) pioneer ,legend and a guy with a great sense of humor....#AjScratch #KoolDjAj"(Photo: Funkmaster Flex via Instagram)

Big Daddy Kane, @officialbigdaddykane - Kane sent his prayers up to the old-school party promoter and DJ pioneer."RIP Kool DJ A.J. My condolences to your family, as well as Busy Bee & Kurtis Blow. UP IN THE BRONX WHERE THE PEOPLE ARE FRESH, THERE WAS ONE DJ WHO COULD PASS THE TEST."(Photo: Big Daddy Kane via Instagram)

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Big Daddy Kane, @officialbigdaddykane - Kane sent his prayers up to the old-school party promoter and DJ pioneer."RIP Kool DJ A.J. My condolences to your family, as well as Busy Bee & Kurtis Blow. UP IN THE BRONX WHERE THE PEOPLE ARE FRESH, THERE WAS ONE DJ WHO COULD PASS THE TEST."(Photo: Big Daddy Kane via Instagram)

Freddie Fresh, @DJFreddieFresh - Freddie Fresh remembering DJ Kool AJ doing what he does best...rocking the wheels of steels.(Photo: Freddie Fresh via Twitter)

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Freddie Fresh, @DJFreddieFresh - Freddie Fresh remembering DJ Kool AJ doing what he does best...rocking the wheels of steels.(Photo: Freddie Fresh via Twitter)