“Peace to Ron G, Brucie B, Kid Capri/ Funkmaster Flex and Lovebug Starski…” -Biggie Smalls “Juicy”
The Hip Hop community is mourning as one of the founding fathers of Hip Hop culture, Lovebug Starski has passed away. He was 57 years old.
Starski, whose real name is Kevin Smith, allegedly died from a heart attack in Las Vegas, but the cause of death has not been confirmed,
Lovebug Starski is one of only two people who is said to have coined the term “Hip Hop” and along with partners Brucie B and DJ Hollywood, was instrumental as a DJ, emcee and a producer in the instructional days of Hip Hop in the South Bronx. He was a regular DJ at spots like Harlem World and the legendary Rooftop Roller Disco.
Jon Shecter, co-founder and former EIC of The Source Magazine had this to say about Starski’s passing:
Some terrible news: hip-hop legend Lovebug Starski has died suddenly and unexpectedly in Las Vegas at age 60. ☹️ Very sad. The man was a gifted entertainer, a warm, generous soul. He had been rocking Vegas venues and joined KRS-One on stage last week. Rest peacefully good sir. pic.twitter.com/kHggNAbIsS
— Jonathan Shecter (@SheckyGreen) February 9, 2018
On behalf of The Source Magazine and The Northstar Group, our deepest condolences go out to his friends, family and his pioneering peers in the culture.
