Lord Sear, One of Hip-Hop Radio’s Most Distinctive Voices, Dead At 53

Veteran DJ and radio personality Lord Sear, a core member of the iconic Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito Show , has died at the age of 53. A cause of death has not been revealed at this time. News of Sear’s death was announced on Wednesday afternoon (March 11) in a post on Shade 45‘s official X account. “WE ARE SAD TO REPORT THAT OUR DEAR FRIEND AND HOST, LORD SEAR HAS PASSED AWAY,” read a statement shared by the station, which Sear worked with dating back to its launch in 2004.

“SEAR WAS MORE THAN A VOICE ON THE RADIO – HE WAS A FORCE, A FRIEND, AND FAMILY TO SO MANY OF US! ” A New York native, Lord Sear, born Steve Watson, built a reputation as one of hip-hop radio’s most distinctive voices throughout his decades-long career. He gained recognition early on as the touring DJ for rapper Kurious before becoming a core member of the groundbreaking Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito Show on WKCR.

Sear first appeared on the influential college radio program during the early 1990s, helping...