Eddie Cheeba

American rapper (1956–2024)

Eddie Cheeba
Born	(1956-10-18)October 18, 1956
Died	February 13, 2024(2024-02-13) (aged 67)
Genres	Hip hop
Occupation(s)	DJ

Musical artist

Eddie Cheeba (October 18, 1956 – February 13, 2024) was an American DJ in New York in the 1970s, considered to be the number one club DJ.^[2] Eddie, real name Edward Sturgis, was born in New York and grew up in the Douglas Projects of the Bronx where he attended Brandeis High School.^[3]

Cheeba was a close friend of DJ Hollywood and they frequently influenced each other's styles.^[1]

Cheeba is credited with inspiring Def Jam Recordings founder, Russell Simmons to pursue a career in hip-hop when Simmons heard Cheeba perform in Harlem in 1977.^[4]

Kurtis Blow took his name imitating Cheeba at the suggestion of Russell Simmons, copying the pattern from Eddie Cheeba as "blow" was a force of power as "cheeba" was slang for marijuana.^[5]

Cheeba died on February 13, 2024, at the age of 67.^[6]

References

^ ^a ^b Murray Forman; Robert Ford, Jr. (January 2004). That's the Joint!: The Hip-hop Studies Reader. Psychology Press. p. 43. ISBN 978-0-415-96919-2.
^ Mickey Hess (November 25, 2009). Hip Hop in America: A Regional Guide. ABC-CLIO. p. 33. ISBN 978-0-313-34321-6.
^ "Master of Ceremonies". WaxPoetics. 2020-12-08. Retrieved 2024-02-16.
^ Carrie Golus (January 1, 2012). Russell Simmons: From Def Jam to Super Rich. Twenty-First Century Books. p. 21. ISBN 978-0-7613-8157-0.
^ Carrie Golus (January 1, 2012). Russell Simmons: From Def Jam to Super Rich. Twenty-First Century Books. p. 23. ISBN 978-0-7613-8157-0.
^ "Eddie Cheeba, Influential Early Hip Hop Dj, Dies". Hip Hop DX. 13 February 2024. Retrieved 14 February 2024.