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DJ Polo, a member of the iconic Juice Crew and one-half of Kool G Rap & DJ Polo, has passed away.
On Sunday, July 28, Polo's family confirmed the veteran artist's passing in a statement posted to Instagram. The news of his death began circulating on Saturday after legends like DJ Chuck Chillout and Big Daddy Kane posted tributes to social media. As of this report, his cause of death has not yet been revealed.
"He was not only a legend to the hip hop community but also to his family and we celebrate his life and legacy now and forever," the family said in their statement.
DJ Polo, born Thomas Pough, got his start in the music industry in the mid-1980s when producer Eric B. introduced him to Kool G Rap. Polo and the Queens rapper recorded their first demo at Mr. Magic and DJ Marley Marl's studio in 1986. Marley was reportedly so impressed by their work that he welcomed them into the Juice Crew. Kool G Rap and DJ Polo eventually broke away from the Juice Crew and continued to make music as a duo. They dropped their debut album Road to the Riches in 1989 and went on to release two more albums, Wanted: Dead or Alive (1990) and Live and Let Die (1992).
"R.I.P. to a dear friend and a Brother from another Household," Kool G Rap wrote on Instagram. "He is a Legend to Hip Hop and Juice Crew history. DJ Polo! May Light from the Highest be upon him."
After the duo split in 1993, Polo dropped his debut solo album Polo's Playhouse in 1998. The album features collaborations with Ice-T, Roxanne Shante, Biz Markie and others. Ice-T was one of several legends who paid tribute to Polo over the weekend. Check out his message plus others from DJ Premier, Eric B. and more.
Rest in peace, DJ Polo.