Delicious Vinyl Co-Founder Matt Dike Passed Away at 56

Matt Dike, co-founder of the iconic label Delicious Vinyl, who passed away at his home following a battle with salivary gland cancer. He was 56.

As a record label owner, Dike, along with Michael Ross, signed and produced several memorable rap acts on Delicious Vinyl including Tone Loc, Young MC, the Pharcyde, Masta Ace, Brand New Heavies, Mellow Man Ace and many more.

Outside of the record label, Dike was a prolific producer, himself. Some of his early production credits include producing the first-ever track to diss N.W.A - Romeo and Master Rhyme's "Crackerjack." Dike also produced or co-produced some of the biggest hip-hop hits of the 80s including Tone Loc's "Wild Thing" and Young MC's "Bust a Move."

Dike offered his sampling skills on The Beastie Boys’ classic 1989 album, Paul’s Boutique. Dike also co-founded the famed Los Angeles-area club Power Tools, where he deejayed massive parties, mixing disco, rock and rap records, many of which came from his own extensive library of rare vinyl records.

According to a press release, Dike expressed surprise that the records he’d made years earlier have endured, and continue to delight new generations of music fans around the world. “It’s mind-blowing. I just wanted to have as much fun as possible!”