DJ Red Alert

DJ Red Alert

DJ Red Alert is a UK hardcore and breakbeat DJ and producer identified as Grant Smith. He is also associated with hip-hop and turntablism, and is recognised as a founding figure in hip-hop music and culture.

Background

Red Alert is reared by his maternal grandparents, who are from Antigua. He develops an early interest in basketball through local around-the-way games, plays on his high school team at DeWitt Clinton, and earns the nickname “Red” for his red hair and alert style on the court. He later receives a college basketball scholarship.

In his final high school years, he spends time at the Saturday night parties run by DJ Kool Herc and Coke La Rock in clubs across the West Bronx. He credits Coke La Rock as “the very first rapper”.

Career and influence

As a DJ, club performer and studio figure, Red Alert builds a reputation as one of the major DJs of his era. He also runs a production and management company called Red Alert Productions, or RAP, which develops and promotes new talent.

He is credited with helping launch the careers of the Jungle Brothers, A Tribe Called Quest, Black Sheep and Queen Latifah.

Recognition

Red Alert receives a special award at the first annual Rap Hall of Fame Awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award from IMPACT music trade publication for 1998, and the 1997 Mix Show DJ of the Year award from GAVIN. He is also named one of the 50 most influential people in music by Rolling Stone.

He has a display in the Radio Section of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, is named an honorary ambassador to the United Nations for his contribution to music, and is inducted into the Bronx Walk of Fame in June 2003. He also appears in more than 50 music videos.