DJ BO DIED ON JUNE 28 AT AGE 52.
The New Pittsburgh Courier, in its numerous interviews throughout the past week and a half, has come to learn that someone who is considered a Garfield legend has passed.
Born and raised on Columbo Street, in the heyday of Garfield being much more African American than it is today, whom his older brother called “a gentle giant,” Joseph Charlton, known as DJ Bo, died on June 28. He was 52. The exact cause of death hasn’t been made public.
DJ BO WITH FAMILY MEMBERS ROBIN, PAMELA, GAYNAIL AND CANDICE
DJ Bo’s older brother, Clifford Charlton, is known to the City of Pittsburgh as Sly Jock of WAMO Radio fame. But Sly Jock told the Courier that his younger brother carved out his own niche to become one of the pioneers of rap music in Pittsburgh in the 1980s as a member of the “Vicious 3” rap group.
A graduate of Peabody High School, he was well-known to DJ parties, clubs and events throughout the city as Pittsburgh warmed up to the rap genre.
“He’s been Hip-Hop and rap all his life,” voiced his good friend Tone Walls. “When rap was coming of age in Pittsburgh in the ’80s, he was involved in that, of course.”
DJ BO WITH HIS WIFE, EMILY
In 1985, a movie starring Mario Van Peebles named “Rappin” was released. It was filmed largely in Pittsburgh. DJ Bo was an extra in the movie.
When the Garfield Gators began its football program for the youth in 1994, DJ Bo was the first “voice,” announcing the games at the field, playing the music, introducing the kids.
“A lot of people, they say this just to say it, but this is the truth. (DJ Bo) was one of the nicest guys you could ever meet,” Walls, who grew up in Garfield with DJ Bo, told the Courier. “Always had a kind word, always smiling. That’s just the truth.”
DJ BO WITH FORMER MEMBERS OF PITTSBURGH HIP-HOP GROUP VICIOUS 3 AND GROUP FOUNDER, MARK CHARLTON
Nick Schilling, known in Pittsburgh as Nick Nice of WAMO fame, added about DJ Bo: “He didn’t have an ounce of hate in him at all.”
Two decades ago, DJ Bo started 51st Curb Music, a nod to his upbringing in the 5100 block of Columbo Street. It was an independent record label in Pittsburgh, which also gave artists and DJs to shine at a variety of public platforms.
DJ BO With WAMO 107.3’s KIKI BROWN
“One of the most mild-mannered, humble, and appreciative men I knew,” said DJ Bo’s niece LaKeisha Jones, known as Kiki Brown, current afternoon on-air talent on WAMO 107.3. “I’ve never seen him angry nor heard anything bad about him. He would always say, ‘I don’t want no problems with nobody!’ He was just like that.”
D.J. BO AND SLY JOCK
“Never in any trouble, never had a fight, I never knew him to say something wrong or have enemies,” older brother Sly Jock told the Courier.
DJ Bo, who was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan and tireless family man, is survived by, among others, his wife, Emily, his children: Joseph (26); JoAsha (16); Amber (30); Mario (25); Mariyah (19); and Amiyah (17); two granddaughters, three sisters and three brothers. Funeral arrangements have not been finalized as of July 10.
“He’ll be truly missed by the community,” Nick Nice said.
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