Biography:

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]

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.^[3]

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.^[4]

Cheeba died on February 13, 2024, at the age of 67.^[5]

Credits: