Shot DJ dies after 2-wk. fight

BY GREG WILSON
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

DJ Carl Blaze

The hip-hop deejay shot 13 times after arguing with thugs in Inwood died yesterday, officials said. DJ Carl Blaze, 30, whose real name was Carlos Rivera, fought for his life for more than two weeks at Harlem Hospital, but was pronounced dead at 3:52 p.m.

Blaze's weekend broadcasts aired on WWPR-FM Power 105.1 and reached more than 2 million listeners, the station said. "Power 105 and Clear Channel New York are deeply saddened at the loss of Carl Blaze," said station spokeswoman Josefa Paganuzzi. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family." The station held a tribute for Blaze last night.
The deejay had two children, ages 1 and 7, with his wife, Yvonne. Blaze was rushed to the hospital Dec. 7 after being riddled with bullets in the hallway of a building at 578 Academy St. His $20,000 diamond necklace had been stolen.

The shooting came hours after he deejayed a party at the X-Bar on Cedar Ave. in University Heights in the Bronx. Police said Blaze was jumped after he left a woman's apartment in the Academy St. building. He argued with his attackers for at least 15 minutes before shots were fired, suggesting he may have known the gunmen, a police source said. Cops said yesterday they had no strong leads and were unsure if robbery was the motive behind the shooting, given that Blaze's watch, ring and cash were left behind, sources said.