DJ Crazy Toones, who got his start with his brother WC and Coolio in WC & The Maad Circle in the early-to-mid ’90s, has reportedly passed away. He was 45. Although there is no official word of a cause of death, journalist/publicist Chad Kiser told Ambrosia For Heads that it was believed to be a heart attack.
The talented Los Angeles-based turntablist recently worked as Ice Cube’s official tour DJ, but over the course of his 30 year career, Toones had his able hands on countless West Coast productions, including WC & The Maad Circle “West up!” He also worked extensively with other West Coast OGs such as Kurupt, MC Ren, Xzibit, Young Maylay, and of course, Cube.
Cube and his son, O’Shea Jackson Jr., are two of many who have taken to social media to express their condolences. Heavy hitters like Ice-T, Immortal Technique, Alchemist, Mack 10, DJ Z-Trip, Kokane, Cypress Hill, Del The Funky Homosapien, and DJ Premier also chimed in. The staff at HipHopDX sends our condolences to DJ Crazy Toones’ family, friends and fans.
I just lost my homie, brother, DJ, confidant and love one. Crazy Toones passed away today and I'm fucked up about it. We miss you & love u. pic.twitter.com/hsBHIJ4J2y
— Ice Cube (@icecube) January 9, 2017
RIP Crazy Tooneshttps://t.co/NN7Us6XSST
— Cypress Hill ™ (@cypresshill) January 9, 2017
RIP 2MY BROTHA
"DJ CRAZYTOONS"..
JUST PLAYn OUR MIXTAPE "BACKSTREETS" reminiscing w/ TEARS n MY EYEShttps://t.co/GNMjKhcNK4
LOVE U & MISS U pic.twitter.com/PAFRi4qqcc— Kokane (@Kokaneofficial) January 9, 2017
..Always was cool as hell and meshed with everyone well. He brought people together.
— DelTheFunkyHomosapie (@DelHIERO) January 9, 2017
@ImmortalTech damn, legendary west coast DJ. Scratch in Peace CT.
— Ball from VanCity® (@BallSixOFour) January 9, 2017
Man, so bummed to hear about DJ @crazytoones – such a good dude. RIP, my man.
— DJ Z-TRIP (@ztrip) January 9, 2017
RIP DJ Crazy Toones
Westside Connection For Ever !
We gone miss you homie pic.twitter.com/FNgkDGtQGU— Mack 10 (@OfficialMack10) January 9, 2017
Rest in Peace DJ Crazy Toones.
— Alchemist (@Alchemist) January 9, 2017
OG Crazy Toones was a Real WestCoast Rider… Man!! https://t.co/0bbcowBXC3
— ICE T (@FINALLEVEL) January 9, 2017
Just lost another Homie this morning……. man!
— ICE T (@FINALLEVEL) January 9, 2017
I love you Uncle Toones
— O'Shea Jackson Jr (@OsheaJacksonJr) January 9, 2017