DJ Polo, born Thomas E. Pough, of Kool G. Rap & DJ Polo fame has passed away.
Word of DJ Polo’s untimely passing began circulating online on July 27. Fellow rap pioneer Eric B took to social media to pay his condolences. “My brother DJ POLO we had some great times you will never be forgotten GODS speed,” wrote Eric B as a caption to a photo of DJ Polo.
No cause of death has been reported at this time.
The story goes that Kool G. Rap and DJ Polo were invited by the late Mr. Magic and Marley Marl to create a demo in their studio. The result was “It’s A Demo,” which left Marley and Magic so impressed that G. Rap and Polo were made part of the Juice Crew, which included Big Daddy Kane, Roxanne Shante, Biz Markie and more. “It’s A Demo” would appear on Kool G. Rap & DJ Polo’s debut album, Road To The Riches, in 1989, which also featured classic cuts like the title track, “Men At Work” and “Poison.” The duo would release two more albums—1990’s Wanted: Dead or Alive and 1992’s Live And Let Die—before parting ways.
Polo would drop his own solo project, Polo’s Playhouse, in 1998.
Rest in power DJ Polo—our sincerest condolences to his family. Check out fans and notable rappers paying their respects in the gallery.