Eddie Cheeba

Eddie Cheeba (October 18, 1956 – February 13, 2024) was an American DJ in New York in the 1970s, considered to be the number one club DJ.^[1] Eddie, real name Edward Sturgis, was born in New York and grew up in the Douglas Projects of the Bronx where he attended Brandeis High School.^[2]

Eddie Cheeba
Born	(1956-10-18)October 18, 1956
Died	February 13, 2024(2024-02-13) (aged 67)
Genres	Hip hop
Occupation	DJ

Cheeba was a close friend of DJ Hollywood and they frequently influenced each other's styles.^[3]

Cheeba is credited with inspiring Def Jam Recordings founder, Russell Simmons to pursue a career in hip-hop when Simmons heard Cheeba perform in Harlem in 1977.^[4]

Kurtis Blow took his name imitating Cheeba at the suggestion of Russell Simmons, copying the pattern from Eddie Cheeba as "blow" was a force of power as "cheeba" was slang for marijuana.^[5]

Cheeba died on February 13, 2024, at the age of 67.^[6]