Hip-hop pioneer Kool DJ Red Alert honoured with statue in New York

Hip-hop pioneer Kool DJ Red Alert, who’s credited with being the first person to make a mixtape compilation, has been honoured with a statue in New York City. Officially unveiled last week, the piece forms part of a wider Harlem Sculpture Gardens exhibit. 

Located in Montefiore Park, the piece, known as “YEAA-a-a-a- a-ah!” after the iconic radio and club selector’s signature chant, depicts the DJ and producer playing on turntables. An audio mix by Kool DJ Red Alert also plays at certain times, powered by solar panels. 

The artist responsible for the statue, Sherwin Banfield, has dedicated much of his career to capturing hip-hop culture in this way. His Sustainable Sonic Statues series has previously included an LL Cool J bust in Queens, which played tracks by the rapper five days a week. 

Kool DJ Red Alert, who is often credited with inventing the mixtape while working with Afrika Bambaataa, and has played live on WBLS radio every week for the past 40 years, was present at the unveiling ceremony. 

“This is something that’s very rare, but in blessings, I’m here to witness it,” he told attendees. “I had something that you do as a hobby, and then you get a couple dollars, and it becomes a hustle, not knowing it would establish me a career.”