Tredis Adams, a Twin Cities DJ known professionally as Disco T, died on Dec. 31, just over two years after being diagnosed with cancer.

“Disco T was a pioneer in the Minneapolis music scene,” wrote his daughter Kristina Adams on a GoFundMe page created to help with funeral costs. “In 2019 he was diagnosed with neck and throat cancer. Against all odds, he fought, and his cancer went into remission. In December 2021, he was diagnosed with metastatic brain cancer and passed away on December 31st.”

Disco T was known for his work on KMOJ as well as being a member of the Soul Technicians DJ crew and, later, running South Minneapolis clothing shop 8.Mart. He was also a foundational promoter who helped nurture hip-hop culture in the Twin Cities.

“Minneapolis and St. Paul were microcosms of the New York landscape during hip-hop's infancy,” reported the Pioneer Press in 2000. “Breakdancers battled in St. Paul parks, crews of rappers marked Minneapolis buildings with graffitti, and high-school kids sneaked out of their bedrooms to show up at the legendary 99-cent parties thrown by pioneering deejay and promoter Tredis Adams, better known as ‘Disco T.’”

When DJs began releasing mixtapes commercially, Disco T was one of the first Twin Cities artists to do so. Reviewing his 1999 release 74 Minutes of Ghetto Domination, the Star Tribune praised his selection of tracks “you won’t find on KDWB or BET. Unlike a basic hit combination, Disco T mixes his choices with subtle, unusual vocal overlays and tricky segues (check for Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells or The Price Is Right theme).”

“DJ Disco T is an innovator, one of the godfathers of the Twin Cities hip hop party scene,” DJ Stage One told the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder in 2020. “He’s an avid music fan with a thirst for book knowledge and sharing his wisdom to others.” In an Instagram tribute, Stage One called Disco T “a champion in our community.” Above, listen to Stage One tell The Current’s Sean McPherson about Disco T’s legacy.

“2022 would have marked a 40 year friendship between us that started in 1982 at North High School in the KBEM radio magnet program,” wrote Derrick Stevens, The Current’s production manager, on Facebook. “I'm honored to have known you and to have called you my friend and my Brother.

“You fought the good fight and showed us what medical miracles can occur when you believe in self and put in that work,” continued Stevens. “You'll forever be my real life superman.”

After being diagnosed with cancer in 2019, Adams took a holistic approach to managing his own care. “I would rather have a certain quality of life,” he said in a video update, “over quantity of sickness.”

When supporters held a fundraiser at the Fine Line in March 2020, shortly before the Covid-19 pandemic hit, Disco T arrived at his own party to the sounds of “crazy clapping and cheering,” reported the Spokesman-Recorder.

Word of Disco T’s passing came even as Minneapolis continued to mourn another beloved KMOJ DJ, Brother Jules, who died late last year.

“I grew up in this city,” Disco T told Stevens and DJ Sam Soulprano in 2020. “This has been a godsend to me. These people have treated me very well in this place. I wouldn’t trade it, living here for nothing in the world. I’ve been a lot of places. The people in this town are the best in the world. I wouldn’t have traded it for nothing… 100 percent.”