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One of the most tragically unsolved murders in Hip-Hop history is that of Boogie Down Productions founder Scott “DJ Scott La Rock” Sterling. TV One’s Celebrity Crime Files series recently spotlighted the Bronx native that formed the seminal Hip-Hop group with KRS-One but whose life was tragically cut short on August 27, 1987.

In the early 1980s, a former high school basketball star and young Bronx native named Scott Sterling had just graduated from college in Vermont. Scott was a social worker by day, but by night he was known as Scott La Rock- a club promoter who “would settle for nothing less than stardom.”

Along with KRS-One and D-Nice, La Rock became a founding member of Boogie Down Productions. Their 1987 debut album, Criminal Minded, is considered an all time classic hip-hop record.

But also by 1987, things would change. Scott would be killed just days before he would finally accomplish his dream of international stardom. Was La Rock the target or an unfortunate casualty? The crime remains unsolved to this day.

Heads like Ced Gee and Kool DJ Red Alert, but unfortunately no KRS-One or D-Nice, speak about Scott La Rock’s come up from basketball star to social worker to BDP’s DJ to his his tragic murder are all covered in this well put together documentary. For Hip-Hop heads who remember that era, and especially if you’re from The Bronx, this one will hurt.

Watch the full episode below.

Photo: TV One