Kool DJ AJ — a pioneering hip-hop DJ working since the late 1970s — died Wednesday (Sept. 9), his friend and collaborator Kurtis Blow announced on Twitter.
AJ worked with Blow and Busy Bee throughout the ’80s and DJ’d in to the ’90s, retiring from hip-hop in 2010.
His exact age and cause of death are unknown.
The hip-hop community mourned the loss on social media with tribute posts. Check out the response below:
RIP to my DJ and friend Kool DJ AJ!!!!
— Kurtis Blow (@KurtisBlow1) September 9, 2015
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… https://t.co/0TM4u9MPLp
— Grandmaster Flash (@DJFlash4eva) September 9, 2015
RIP DJ AJ. Hip Hop Legend! https://t.co/DNk4gJfZeu
— ICE T (@FINALLEVEL) September 9, 2015
DJ AJ a great pioneer in the rap game has passed away to today. Amazing sweet spirited human being. God accept him into greater service
— Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) September 9, 2015
My condolences to the family of AJ Scratch. http://t.co/rvdemENNJx
— TheRealPerceeP (@TheRealPerceeP) September 9, 2015
R.I.P. Kool DJ AJ. (photo courtesy of http://t.co/8kBuctjOfS and @ToolsofWarJams) pic.twitter.com/XV8EVkgxzL
— DJ Eclipse (@ItsDJEclipse) September 9, 2015
The legendary Kool DJ AJ has passed away – http://t.co/6MaIrN9FRk: http://t.co/WohLTcD3vQ
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) September 9, 2015
R.I.P to my legendary brother Kool DJ A.j. Prod-Aj Scratch.
— Rahiem Furious 5 (@Rahiem_Furious5) September 9, 2015