Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Collins Leysath, known as, DJ Ready Red died Friday, August 24 after suffering a heart attack. The 53-year-old was the Geto Boys (or the Ghetto Boys) first DJ and producer.
Another Geto Boys’ member, Willie D, shared the news via Instagram. In his tribute, he called DJ Ready Red a “pioneer” and “ahead of his time.”
NEW YORK – 1987: Houston rap group The Ghetto Boys (later spelled Geto Boys) (clockwise from top: DJ Ready Red, Prince Johnny C and Sire Jukebox) pose for a portrait for their album ‘You Ain’t Nothing’ 1987 in New York City, New York. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
“He gave us our sound,” said Willie D and was “responsible for most of the production of our early stuff and all of the sound on my first album, Controversy.”
Red joined the Houston-based rap crew Geto Boys, around 1986 when the group released their first single ‘Car Freak.’ Together, they released the albums Making Trouble (1988), Grip It! On That Other Level (1989) and self-titled The Geto Boys (1990). Red left the group in 1991, while recording We Can’t Be Stopped.
Funeral arrangements have not been announced yet.
Our condolences go out to the Geto Boys and the Leysath family.
