New York City DJ Icon Big Kap Has Passed Away

In a developing story, multiple sources have confirmed that veteran DJ and producer Big Kap has died.The New York mixmaster born Keith Carter was a DJ for The Notorious B.I.G., Nas, and others. Kap was also a fixture of 1990s NYC venue The Tunnel, a club notable for introducing some of Hip-Hop’s most classic records of the era.

The cause of death has not been made public.

In 1999, he partnered with HOT 97 colleague Funkmaster Flex to release The Tunnel for Def Jam Records. The album featured original songs by Dr. Dre, Eminem, Jay Z, Method Man, and others. The LP was also the only sanctioned release of Tupac and Biggie’s 1993 freestyle at Madison Square Garden. Notably, this released version did not include host MC Big Daddy Kane, or Shyheim.

With Flex, Doo Wop, Cipha Sounds, Biz Markie, DJ Enuff, Mister Cee, and Mark Ronson, Kap was also part of the Flip Squad DJs. In 1998, the collective released an album featuring Canibus, Papoose, and Sha Stimuli, among others.

In a 2015 video interview, Kap declared how Hip-Hop changed his life: “This DJ stuff has taken me all over the world, three-four times! [It gave me] two houses, raised my daughter, my wife not wantin’ for nothin’! I’m still goin’. I’ve been able to DJ for some of the biggest artists in the world: Biggie Smalls, Nas. [I] produced with Lil Jon, Fatman Scoop, Jay Z, Lauryn Hill, Wu-Tang Clan, U-God!” In that Jacksonville, Florida interview, Kap said he was presently working with The LOX’s Jadakiss and Uncle Murda.

Days ago, Kap had announced via Instagram that he had become the Program Director for Atlanta, Georgia’s Highly Unique Radio.

Kap’s former album-mate, Funk Flex was among those to confirm the reports and publicly mourn:

Rest in peace…. Big Kap…

A photo posted by FunkFlex (@funkflex) on

Ambrosia For Heads extends condolences to the family and friends of Keith Carter a/k/a Big Kap.

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