RIVIERA BEACH — The south Florida music industry is mourning the loss of one of its own.
Calvin Puckett, better known as Kooley-C. He died Tuesday after falling ill. He was 46.
He was a well-known professional music producer, mix-engineer, and owner of the Music Medic Studios.
Kooley-C worked very closely with Derrick McCray of McCray’s Backyard BBQ to produce the Peace & Feast in the Neighborhood Festival last year.
Plans were already in the works for the 2016 Peace & Feast in the Neighborhood Festival at the time of Kooley-C’s death.
During the late 1980s Kooley-C was best known for being part of the rap duo DJ KJ and MC Kooley C. The group went on tour and sold out arenas, opening for Run DMC in 1986.
Kooley-C pursued a solo rap career after the group disbanded. His gift was producing music.
Kooley-C worked with a lot of major recording artists including Jamie Foxx and Danity Kane.
The albums he produced for those artists went gold then earned platinum status.
Kooley-C worked with hundreds of local artists, some of whom gained national attention in the music industry. His son is rapper Dat Guy who opened for the BET Awards last year.
Kooley-C will live forever through his music. He was a hit maker and musical genius.
“I will miss my brother Kooley-C. We could not have put on the Peace & Feast in the Neighborhood without him. Rest in peace my brother. I love you,” Derrick McCray said.
Hey Sandy PR & Communications and the McCray’s Backyard BBQ family send prayers and condolences to the Puckett family as they go through this very difficult time in their lives.
The viewing is set for Friday, May 6, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Royal Palm Memorial Gardens on Greenwood Avenue in West Palm Beach
The funeral is Saturday, May 7, at 10 a.m. at Inlet Grove Community High School at 600 West 28th Street in Riviera Beach. The Repast will also be at Inlet Grove.
Dozens gathered at the church for his funeral and celebration of life. The city of Riviera Beach also paid tribute to Kooley-C with a song.