Can we please have a moment of silence . . . 

For legendary rap producer Tony D. (real name Anthony Depula). 

Anthony was killed in a car accident Saturday (April 4) evening in Hamilton, N.J. when his 2002 purple jeep hit a curb and struck a fence, which caused the vehicle to flip over. About a dozen neighbors came to the aid of Anthony, who was not wearing a seatbelt, and pulled him out of the car. He was rushed to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. He was 42 years old. Police are still investigating why Anthony lost control of his vehicle.

Under the production alias Tony D., Anthony was one of the most prolific rap producers out of New Jersey during the late '80s through early '90s. He will be best remembered as the main producer behind the Trenton, N.J.-based rap group Poor Righteous Teachers. His production can be heard on the trio's three albums: Holy Intellect (1990), Pure Poverty (1991) and Black Business (1993). PRT's songs "Rock Dis Funky Joint," "Shakiyla" and "Butt Naked Booty Bless" helped put Trenton, N.J. on the rap map alongside neighboring cities Philadelphia and New York. Tony D. also produced joints for other artists like YZ ("Thinking of a Master Plan") and King Sun (Righteous But Ruthless).

"I think I pioneered the use of the vocal samples in hip-hop. Think of the Average White Band for "Thinking of a Masterplan" and the James Brown one for "In Control of Things." No one was really using samples or loops that had a voice in it until I did that."

 -- Tony D.

Rest in Power, Tony D. Thank you for making us rock this funky joint. 

[UPDATE]:    DJ King Shameek (of Twin Hype fame) posted a comment below. Also, DJ King Shameek and Tony D. produced King Sun's 1990 debut album, Righteous But Ruthless.