Hip Hop Legend, Artist and Jazz Saxophonist Richard Lee Sisco Jr. Passed Away at 50

Dec. 17, 2010 - PRLog -- Richard Lee Sisco Jr. a jazz saxophonist, artist and hip hop legend celebrated for his early contributions to the hip hop culture since the early 70’s  passed away on Tuesday, December 14th 2010 at Albert Einstein Hospital in the Bronx, from colon cancer, he was 50.

Known as one of the hip hop flyer kings through-out the 70’s along side Phase 2 & Buddy Esquire, Richard Sisco is predominately recognized for his iconic 1984 performance as "Sisco Kid" in the motion picture Beat Street.

Graduating in 1979 from LaGuardia high school of music & arts, Richard Lee Sisco, known for being modest, enjoyed working behind the scenes as a musical consultant to Harry Belefonte (during the filming of Beat Street), a story board artist for the 1985 motion picture Krush Groove featuring RUN DMC, Fat Boys, LL Cool J,  Kurtis Blow, Sheila E. and Russell Simmons.

Initially Regarded in the hip hop culture as an MC (master of ceremony) Sisco was the first Mc to work with Dj Charlie Chase in what would become the legendary Cold Crush Brothers during the early 70’s. along with Dj’s Dizzy Diz, Mighty Mike, Dj Ray & Kool Dj Ron. Soon after, Richard would join Dj Whiz Kid & The High Power Mc’s (replacing L.A. Star) becoming  members of Kool Herc’s Herculoids (referred to as the better boys).

From the early 80’s to mid 90’s Richard Sisco has performed with many names such as The Super Sonic 4 Mc’s (Sisco as the Dj, Ricky Dee, Vicious Cee, Dwayne Dee, Ice Ice, Lil Sha Rock), Dj Cool Clyde, Rockin Rob, Wanda Dee, Jazzy Jay, Cold Rock, Dj Storm, Toney Tone (of the Cold Crush Bros.) Supa Vee and Rico.

Aside from being a hip hop legend, Sisco worked for many years at the Baychester & Edenwall housing centers where he worked with the youth, mentoring and teaching music & arts.

In 1995 Richard Lee Sisco recorded “Surviving with the time” with his saxophone student , Dj partner and long time close friend Victor Valente (formerly known as Supa Vee) which can be found on Victor Valente’s 2005 Takeluma Recordings release “Off The Canvas”, Recognized in 2007 as a hip hop jazz classic.

From the mid 90’s until falling ill in July of 2010, Richard Sisco had been recording & performing with close friends from LaGuardia high school, Jose Murcia & John Rivera in a electro-jazz trio called Symmetry, making an appearance in the 2009 Electronic Music Festival.

On December 2nd, 2010, Richard married his girl friend for many years, Aurdrey Ramos from his hospital bed, during his final days. The following day, after Sisco’s passing, artist, Shie, Incredible heirogliphics, Miami with guidance by Phase 2 dedicated a tribute Mural to Richard Lee Sisco, The Sisco Kid.