(AllHipHop News) Family and friends gathered at the Ikeda World Peace Auditorium in Los Angeles this past Saturday (May 8th), to pay their final respects to “the hardest working DJ on the West Coast,” DJ Hideo. Hideo Sugano’s 15 month fight with colon and liver cancer ended on April 24th, 2010 as he passed away surrounded by his family and close friends. The Buddhist ceremony paid tribute to the life and legacy of the DJ who was a son, brother, father, friend, teacher and hero to all who knew him.DJ Hideo worked for KKBT 100.3 The Beat as Mix show Director and Program and Production Assistant for nine years. Additionally, he served as the DJ on the Steve Harvey Morning Show, Soul Assassins Radio with Cypress Hill and others. Up until his passing DJ Hideo was a respected professor at the Scratch DJ Academy, founded by Jam Master Jay of Run DMC. He helped guide new students to the understanding of the true meaning of Djing and its respected position in Hip-Hop culture and history.DJ Spinderella, The Poetess, DJ Mo Dave, DJ K-Sly and Tawala Sharp were a few of his former KKBT, 100.3 the Beat family member’s who were on hand to give tributes, and testimonials that spoke to the spirit of the man whom everyone agreed always bore a smile. Cancer survivor/singer/songwriter Krys Ivory sang an inspiring acapella of “I Believe I Can Fly” and long time friend Lady of Rage, alongside DJ Rectangle lifted the crowd with an old school performance of one of Hideo’s favorite song’s Afro Puff’s.Throughout his illness, Hideo used his situation to speak to people on the importance of early detection and encouraged his peers to get colonoscopy’s because early detection can be key in preventative health care. “I’m hoping I can help people stop waiting until its too late. Use me as an example, look at Hideo he was always so happy and energetic but he still got cancer.” he told AllHipHop.com in a 2009 interviewHideo left behind his parents, a sister and brother and loving daughter Danni and a wealth of friends. Due to lack of sufficient health insurance the family is still overwhelmed with enormous hospital bills as a result of his hospital expenses. To make donations please visit www.djhideo.com
