32 yr old deejay
Funeral arrangements have been set for Corey Leron McGriff (DJ Megatron), 32, who was shot to death Sunday in his Stapleton neighborhood.
Born in New Brighton, he moved with family to Silver Lake in 1981 and to Port Richmond in 1996. He relocated to Philadelphia for a time, then returned to Staten Island in the mid-2000s. He settled in Stapleton about a year ago.
Mr. McGriff graduated from Curtis High School in 1997. He excelled at sports and played soccer, baseball and football at Curtis, as well as being a distance runner on the track team.
"He often talked about how much he loved the schools he attended," said his mother, Louvenia McGriff.
The family belonged to the Church of God by Faith in Newark. "It was another avenue, where he experienced great teachings that stuck with him throughout his life," said his father, Leo McGriff.
FROM FILM TO DJ
From the time he was a boy, Mr. McGriff was interested in the entertainment industry. He began his career as an extra in movies, then became an actor, appearing in "State Property 2," in 2005, as well as "Blood of a Champion" and "Killa Season."
He first made his name in Staten Island hip-hop circles as a promoter of local artists, something he continued during his stint as a DJ. Mr. McGriff began his career as an intern at New York's 98.7 Kiss FM, where DJs remembered him on the air and online last Sunday.
With dedication and persistence, he rose to the on-air ranks, starting as an overnight DJ at New York's Hot 97.1 FM, where he met his mentors, hip-hop personalities Fatman Scoop and Funkmaster Flex. Mr. McGriff later worked at what was then Boston's Hot 97.7 FM and at Philadelphia's 100.3 The Beat.
A natural in front of the camera and with an ear for music, Mr. McGriff landed a spot as house DJ/"hype man" on BET's popular "106 & Park," and began getting national attention. His "What's Good" spots took him onto the streets to ask bystanders about topics ranging from sports and politics to music and education.
"Whether he was on the radio, silver screen, hosting a television show or DJing, Corey would leave a lasting impression," said his brother, Marlon McGriff.
COMMUNITY-MINDED
Megatron never forgot his roots. He loaned his celebrity to community-based initiatives he felt helped children learn the importance of studying, teamwork and respect for community.
In the summer of 2006, Megatron pumped the crowds at the Unity Day Street Fair in the Park Hill section of Clifton. That winter, he hosted a party distributing toys to needy children. And in 2009, he helped Against Da Grain barbershop celebrate the grand opening of its second location with free haircuts for kids.
Barbershop co-owner Sean White described Mr. McGriff as "real cool" and "humble."
"He knew where he came from. He was a real good guy who was trying to bring Staten Island up. He represented Staten Island to the fullest," said White, who had cut the DJ's hair since he was a student at Morris Intermediate School.
Jacob Frost, a stylist at the shop and friend of Mr. McGriff's since their days in the Staten Island Boys Football League, described Mr. McGriff as genuine.
"What he wanted he worked for. He was going to get to his dream. He was going to reach his goal, by any means necessary," said Frost, a Brooklyn resident originally from Park Hill.
In addition to his parents and his brother, surviving Mr. McGriff are his daughter, Zharia McGriff; his son, Zion; their mother, his longtime friend, Yama Goll; his son, Isaiah; his daughter, Jayleen Robinson; their mother, his girlfriend Shyleen Robinson, and his maternal grandmother, Bertha Kirby.
The funeral service will be Tuesday at 10 a.m. in the International Christian Center, Granteville. Burial will follow in Silver Mount Cemetery, Silver Lake. The Stradford Funeral Home, Tompkinsville, is handling arrangements.
Published by silive.com
April 2, 2011
♥☆♥☆♥☆♥☆♥☆♥☆♥☆♥☆♥☆♥☆♥☆♥☆♥☆♥☆♥☆♥☆♥☆♥☆♥☆♥☆♥☆♥☆♥☆♥
Wikipedia
Biography
YouTube Tribute
A nice tribute and some pictures of him, his family & work
TV, Radio Personality DJ Megatron Killed In NYC
March 27, 2011
32 yr old deejay
Funeral arrangements have been set for Corey Leron McGriff (DJ Megatron), 32, who was shot to death Sunday in his Stapleton neighborhood.
Born in New Brighton, he moved with family to Silver Lake in 1981 and to Port Richmond in 1996. He relocated to Philadelphia for a time, then returned to Staten Island in the mid-2000s. He settled in Stapleton about a year ago.
Mr. McGriff graduated from Curtis High School in 1997. He excelled at sports and played soccer, baseball and football at Curtis, as well as being a distance runner on the track team.
"He often talked about how much he loved the schools he attended," said his mother, Louvenia McGriff.
The family belonged to the Church of God by Faith in Newark. "It was another avenue, where he experienced great teachings that stuck with him throughout his life," said his father, Leo McGriff.
FROM FILM TO DJ
From the time he was a boy, Mr. McGriff was interested in the entertainment industry. He began his career as an extra in movies, then became an actor, appearing in "State Property 2," in 2005, as well as "Blood of a Champion" and "Killa Season."
He first made his name in Staten Island hip-hop circles as a promoter of local artists, something he continued during his stint as a DJ. Mr. McGriff began his career as an intern at New York's 98.7 Kiss FM, where DJs remembered him on the air and online last Sunday.
With dedication and persistence, he rose to the on-air ranks, starting as an overnight DJ at New York's Hot 97.1 FM, where he met his mentors, hip-hop personalities Fatman Scoop and Funkmaster Flex. Mr. McGriff later worked at what was then Boston's Hot 97.7 FM and at Philadelphia's 100.3 The Beat.
A natural in front of the camera and with an ear for music, Mr. McGriff landed a spot as house DJ/"hype man" on BET's popular "106 & Park," and began getting national attention. His "What's Good" spots took him onto the streets to ask bystanders about topics ranging from sports and politics to music and education.
"Whether he was on the radio, silver screen, hosting a television show or DJing, Corey would leave a lasting impression," said his brother, Marlon McGriff.
COMMUNITY-MINDED
Megatron never forgot his roots. He loaned his celebrity to community-based initiatives he felt helped children learn the importance of studying, teamwork and respect for community.
In the summer of 2006, Megatron pumped the crowds at the Unity Day Street Fair in the Park Hill section of Clifton. That winter, he hosted a party distributing toys to needy children. And in 2009, he helped Against Da Grain barbershop celebrate the grand opening of its second location with free haircuts for kids.
Barbershop co-owner Sean White described Mr. McGriff as "real cool" and "humble."
"He knew where he came from. He was a real good guy who was trying to bring Staten Island up. He represented Staten Island to the fullest," said White, who had cut the DJ's hair since he was a student at Morris Intermediate School.
Jacob Frost, a stylist at the shop and friend of Mr. McGriff's since their days in the Staten Island Boys Football League, described Mr. McGriff as genuine.
"What he wanted he worked for. He was going to get to his dream. He was going to reach his goal, by any means necessary," said Frost, a Brooklyn resident originally from Park Hill.
In addition to his parents and his brother, surviving Mr. McGriff are his daughter, Zharia McGriff; his son, Zion; their mother, his longtime friend, Yama Goll; his son, Isaiah; his daughter, Jayleen Robinson; their mother, his girlfriend Shyleen Robinson, and his maternal grandmother, Bertha Kirby.
The funeral service will be Tuesday at 10 a.m. in the International Christian Center, Granteville. Burial will follow in Silver Mount Cemetery, Silver Lake. The Stradford Funeral Home, Tompkinsville, is handling arrangements.
Published by silive.com
April 2, 2011
♥☆♥☆♥☆♥☆♥☆♥☆♥☆♥☆♥☆♥☆♥☆♥☆♥☆♥☆♥☆♥☆♥☆♥☆♥☆♥☆♥☆♥☆♥☆♥
Wikipedia
Biography
YouTube Tribute
A nice tribute and some pictures of him, his family & work
TV, Radio Personality DJ Megatron Killed In NYC
March 27, 2011
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