AllHipHop.com was
inundated with people that wanted to share their stories and feeling about Justo
Faison of The Mixtape Awards. Below is a listing of the condolences and comments
from a number of people in the music industry.
DJ Jazzy
Joyce (Hot 97): “I just saw Justo last Friday (May 6th). We stopped
and talked about a whole bunch of things in a short amount of time. Some of
the things we talked about was family and life and how we have matured and come
a long way in this business. We talked about his son and the fact that he decided
to do the laser surgery, and how he threw away all of his old glasses. I am
happy because the last time we spoke was so pleasant and we made peace with
each other. I am also very sad because that is the last time I will get to hug
him or talk to him every again. May he rest in peace.”
DJ Kay
Slay: “Justo was like a brother to me. At one time he helped
manage me for free. Justo was the only person we had standing up for the DJ’s
from the heart and he will be missed."
DJ Kid
Capri: “He was the only one that stood up for DJ’s when
nobody took the thought. He always asked my advice and respected me. As well,
I have a lot of respect for him. The DJ game has suffered a great lost.”
Bobbito
Garcia:
"Just-O and I met in ‘90 when he was doing collegeradio at tiny Cayuga College in upstate New York. I worked at Def Jam, and he
was ecstatic that I recognized his show enough to send promo records. In ‘90-’91
he interned for me. We had a good bond because not only were we both Hip-Hop
heads, we both shared the experience of playing ball in the hallowed Holcombe
Rucker Memorial League as teenagers. Not many people in the industry knew that
side of O. He gained weight as he got older and stopped playing that I know
of, but he was a decent ballplayer in his day and was known to talk s**t (to
me at least) and always be up for a game of H.O.R.S.E. Just-O was good peoples.
He will be missed. Mad love to his memory, and positive energy to his family."
DJ Vlad:
“In 2004 I won a Mixtape of the Year Award. This was an incredible feeling.
But my greatest Hip-Hop moment was being nominated for a Mixtape Award in 2003,
where I sat at Justo’s event at the Manhattan Center alongside legends like
Kid Capri and Redman. At the moment, I went from being a Hip-Hop fan to feeling
like I was part of the Hip-Hop movement – my greatest award ever. I owe all
that to Justo.”
DJ Kurupt:
“Justo was a very good friend of mine, and for every DJ in the game this
was a man who didn’t just side for one DJ but all of them. He respected the
game for what it was and me as a DJ- I appreciated it. He will be missed.”
DJ L-Gee
(Bumsquad Djz/ Hood DJ’s): "I met him when he was working
at Atlantic Records back in the day. He was a cool dude. He would invite me
to parties and events even though I was under age. He’s done so much for DJ’s
over the years. He will be missed."
Lord Sear
(Sirius)
: “Justo was real good peoples. I met him way back inthe WKCR 89 Tec 9 days with Stretch & Bobbito when he was working at Flavor
Unit Records. The brother was always very down to earth when you got a chance
to talk to him, he was a very good, positive roll model to a lot of mixtape
DJ’s. I was so proud of the brother, because he came a long way.”
DJ Lazy K (Murda
Mamis):
“Justo was one of the realest dudes in the game. He took the mixtapegame to another level. We will keep his legacy alive.”
DJ Chela
(WXDU/Bumsquad DJz)
: “Justo was gold. He was just getting toa point where his awards and business were really taking off. I know there is
nobody else like him and nobody that can fill his place, but I want to see his
legacy live on. I know he is still with us and it is up to us to keep his legacy
alive. I love you and miss you!”
DJ Semtex
(UK/ BBC)
: “I met him a few years ago, he was cool. He was oneof the few people in the industry that knew the true value of the DJ, and worked
to help elevate the art form. It’s sad that he had to leave us in such
a tragic way.”
Phat Phillie
(Blackout Radio, Croatia): “As a young buck trying to come up
in the radio game here in Europe, I was going back and fourth to New York in
the mid to late 90’s. I remember seeing Justo at Gee Street, he would always
lace a brother with tons of s**t and always gave me an important advice about
being persistent and believe in what u do.”
DJ Warrior
(Cali Untouchable DJ‘s): “We all hung out in party in Hollywood
and I was like ‘Yo, lets get a drink’ and he was like ‘Yo,
I don’t drink at all.” And I asked him why. He said cause his pops
died cause of that. And same goes for me, my pops is an alcoholic and ever since
then I really opened my eyes about a lot different things. So I cut down on,
grabbin’ drinks. Also besides that we spoke on a lot of spiritual stuff.
We pray for him (Cali Untouchable DJ‘s). Wherever he as at, he as at a
better place than this cold earth.”
DJ Mick
Boogie (Cleveland): "As a DJ striving to excel in the mixtape
world, it is extremely disheartening to lose someone who truly elevated and
legitimized the art form. He will be missed."
Chris Landry
(Sure Shot Recordings)
: “I remember at Franchise with Funk Flexpromoters would come through with records but Justo would come up and buy food
for all the street team. Not just Flex. For everyone. He was the only promoter
to do that. I’ll never forget that love.”
1st Lady EL
(CEO, Murda Mamis): “Justo Was a great dude, we are in total shock.
Our hearts go out to his family, gone but never forgotten.”
DJ Dub
(WQHH 96.5/Music Choice): "Justo was one of the best things that
ever happened to mixtapes, giving mixtape DJ’s a sense of pride with the
awards when RIAA wanted to shut us down. He helped give DJ’s and artists
an opportunity to network. I will miss the man who always wanted me to keep
grinding.”
DJ Clinton
Sparks (Sirius): “I don’t believe this. I was on the phone with
him for an hour as he was driving to Virginia, and I was with him for the day
a week or so ago buggin’ out. I am beside myself.”
DJ Clue
(MTV/ Hot 97):
“My condolences to him and his family.”