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Kaseem “KA” Ryan began his Hip-Hop career in relative obscurity in the 1990s but later emerged as one of the most important writers within the genre. With the news of KA passing away over the weekend going wide, Hip-Hop fans and artists alike are mourning the loss of the talented Brooklyn wordsmith.
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KA was born Kaseem Ryan on August 11, 1972, and was a proud son of the Brownsville neighborhood of Brooklyn, N.Y. His musical career began as a member of the underground group Natural Elements but he would vacate his role, focusing on other endeavors.
After the Natural Elements stint, Ryan joined forces with his friend Kev to form the Nightbreed crew but, just as he did with his former group, Ryan felt that his abilities were lacking in comparison to his rhyming partners.
Ryan speaks about his background during a stellar 2016 interview with the Red Bull Music Academy, which you can find here.
KA would begin his long transformation as an artist via his debut album, Iron Works, which also was the name of his imprint and further a calling to his signature sound. The project caught the ears of fellow Brooklynite GZA, who invited Ryan to join the Wu-Tang Clan swordsman on the chilling track “Firehouse,” produced by Roc Marciano, another artist who transcended his earlier sound and took his art to a stripped-down but still potent level.
In 2012, KA would release Grief’s Pedigree, leaning further into his minimalist, sparse yet lyrically dense style. Blessed already with a distinct, gravelly voice, Ryan used his tone but also his shockingly vulnerable lyrics to great effect. It was not music designed for the day party. Instead, it was meant to be absorbed, dissected, studied, and overall, respected.
The Night’s Gambit. Honor Killed The Samurai. Descendants Of Cain. A Martyr’s Reward. Languish Arts. Woeful Studies. The Thief Next To Jesus. Each of these albums carries its own sonic identity and there is no recommended starting point. Each release is so dense that one will be unpacking the meanings over several dozen listens and still not catch everything.
One of Ryan’s greatest gifts was his commitment to a concept. His will to use every bit of his ability and how he managed to refine his writing on each outing became his calling card but it didn’t capture every measure of the man.
Outside of Hip-Hop, KA was a husband, homeowner, and a New York City firefighter. While he didn’t speak at great lengths about his job in his music, he would share some details of that part of his life in profiles and interviews. Another striking aspect of Ryan is that he didn’t define himself by measuring his success in music. He treated it as a natural extension of himself and perhaps a way to process the things he saw growing up and doing his part to add to the legacy of the culture by willing himself to greatness.
Throughout nine solo projects that he largely produced and two collaborative projects, he also oversaw shooting videos, managing merchandise, and conducting meet-and-greet events with his adoring fans, KA remained humble and grateful.
A quick scan of his social media accounts showcased his everpresent humility, and he engaged his fans when he found the time to do so. Every story that will surely emerge in the coming days was how gracious he was and made himself tangible despite his legendary status in Hip-Hop.
If you ever cared about the quality of songwriting in Hip-Hop and want to discover a shining example of the heights it can reach in the genre, we suggest giving KA a bit of your ear.
As Hip-Hop fans the world over mourn one of the mighty titans of the culture, the jewels KA left us will live on forever.
May he rest powerfully in peace.
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Photo: @brownsvilleka/Instagram
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Cissy Houston, an award-winning singer who made waves in the Gospel world, has died. Cissy Houston was the mother of the late singer Whitney Houston and grandmother to the late Bobbi Kristina Brown.
In a statement from the family estate, featuring words of Cissy Houston’s daughter-in-law Pat Houston, the details of Ms. Houston’s passing were shared with the public:
In our time of deep sorrow, we announce the passing of Emily “Cissy” Houston, who transitioned today, Monday, October 7, at 10:30 a.m. ET, at her home in Newark, New Jersey, while under hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease. Houston, who recently turned 91 years old on September 30, 2024, was surrounded by her family.
“Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness. We loss the matriarch of our family,” says Pat Houston, the daughter-in-law of Cissy Houston. “Mother Cissy has been a strong and towering figure in our lives. A woman of deep faith and conviction, who cared greatly about family, ministry, and community. Her more than seven-decade career in music and entertainment will remain at the forefront of our hearts. Her contributions to popular music and culture are unparalleled. We are blessed and grateful that God allowed her to spend so many years with us and we are thankful for all the many valuable life lessons that she taught us. May she rest in peace, alongside her daughter, Whitney and granddaughter Bobbi Kristina and other cherished family members.”
Cissy Houston was born Emily Drinkard on September 30, 1933, in Newark, N.J. Her singing career began early as part of the Gospel singing group, the Drinkard Four consisting of herself, sister Anne, and brothers Larry and Nicky Houston. Houston had an older sister, Lee, who would later become the mother of singers Dionne and Dee Dee Warwick.
Among Houston’s many accomplishments in both the secular and Gospel music worlds was her work as part of The Sweet Inspirations group with Doris Troy and her niece, Dee Dee Warwick. The group sang background for several artists such as Otis Redding, Lou Rawls, Wilson Pickett, and Dionne Warwick among others. Houston gave birth to her daughter Whitney in 1963, which led to her eventually switching the focus of her career after performing with the group as a background singer for Elvis Presley. Houston also won two Best Traditional Gospel Album Grammy Awards, the first for her album Face to Face in 1997 and the second for He Leadeth Me in 1999.
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Nell Smith, the young Canadian singer-songwriter who captured the hearts of many with her collaboration with The Flaming Lips, has died at just 17 years old.
Her death on Oct. 5 was confirmed by her family in a statement on Instagram, saying, “It pains us so much to say that our feisty, talented, unique, beautiful daughter was cruelly taken from us on Saturday night.”
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“We are reeling from the news and don’t know what to do or say,” they continued. “She had so much more to experience and to give this world but we are grateful that she got to experience so very much in her 17 years. She has left an indelible mark on the word and an unfillable chasm in our hearts.”
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“Hold your kids extra tight tonight and for now please leave us to work through things. We will shout when we need you. Jude, Rachel, Jed and Ike.”
During a Flaming Lips concert on Oct. 6, frontman Wayne Coyne shared the sad news with fans, explaining that Nell had been in a car accident.
Before playing “Everything Has Changed,” Coyne said: “We have a very sad announcement to make tonight. We have a Canadian friend, her name is Nell. We recorded an amazing album with her three years ago, an album full of songs by Nick Cave. We have some very sad messages today – she was killed in a car accident last night.”
“We are reminded once again of the power of music and how encouraging it can be to be around people that you love.”
Nell was preparing for the release of her debut solo album in 2025, which had already garnered support through a successful Kickstarter campaign.
Bella Union’s Simon Raymonde, the head of her label, shared his grief on Instagram: “We are all shocked and devastated to hear of the sudden and tragic passing of our artist and dear friend Nell Smith … While we all try and come to terms with the awful news, and out of respect to Nell’s grieving family, we are unable to make any further comments at this time.”
Nell’s relationship with The Flaming Lips was nothing short of extraordinary. The connection began in 2018 when Nell, then just 12, attended one of their shows dressed in a parrot costume, catching the attention of Coyne.
The moment sparked an ongoing friendship between Nell, Coyne, and her family. Coyne encouraged Nell as she began learning to play guitar, and their collaboration truly took off during the pandemic.
When their plans to record together were derailed by COVID-19, Coyne suggested an ambitious project: Nell would record covers of Nick Cave songs, despite not knowing much about Cave’s work.
The result was Where the Viaduct Looms, a 2021 album featuring Nell’s haunting renditions of Cave’s songs, backed by The Flaming Lips. Coyne remarked at the time, “It is always great to meet excited, young creative people. With Nell, we could see she is on a journey and thought it would be fun to join her for a while and see if we could get things going.”
Nick Cave himself praised Nell’s work, particularly her cover of “Girl in Amber,” writing on The Red Hand Files in 2021, “This version of ‘Girl in Amber’ is just lovely, I was going to say Nell Smith inhabits the song, but that’s wrong, rather she vacates the song, in a way that I could never do.”
“I always found it difficult to step away from this particular song and sing it with its necessary remove, just got so twisted up in the words, I guess.”
“Nell shows a remarkable understanding of the song, a sense of dispassion that is both beautiful and chilling. I just love it. I’m a fan.”
Nell Smith’s journey in music may have been brief, but it was filled with creativity, passion, and a bold spirit. Her collaborations with The Flaming Lips and her unique interpretations of Nick Cave’s work made her a force to be reckoned with in the indie music scene.
Smith’s passing comes during another heartbreaking moment for The Flaming Lips family. The band’s instrumentalist, Steven Drozd, is currently dealing with the disappearance of his 16-year-old daughter, Charlotte “Bowie” Drozd.
Both Drozd himself and frontman Coyne took to their social media pages on Monday (Oct. 7) to share a missing person poster of 16-year-old Charlotte “Bowie” Drozd, who has been missing since around 11:30 a.m. on Saturday. According to the posts, Bowie was last seen on the monorail in Seattle, Washington, near the Space Needle.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Seattle Police Department at 206-625-5011 or call Bowie’s mother, Becky.
Listen to “Into My Arms” by Nell & The Flaming Lips below:
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Tito Jackson, a member of the Jackson 5 and elder brother of Michael Jackson, has died according to a social media post from family members. Later becoming a member of The Jacksons group, Tito Jackson also embarked on a solo career among other projects within the entertainment industry.
Below is the announcement of the passing of Tito Jackson from the 3T Instagram page, a group comprised of his three sons:
It’s with heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved father, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tito Jackson is no longer with us. We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken. Our father was an incredible man who cared about everyone and their well-being. Some of you may know him as Tito Jackson from the legendary Jackson 5, some may know him as “Coach Tito” or some know him as “Poppa T.” Nevertheless, he will be missed tremendously. It will forever be “Tito Time” for us. Please remember to do what our father always preached and that is “Love One Another.” We love you Pops.
Your boys,
Taj, Taryll and TJ
Tito Jackson was born Toriano Adaryll Jackson on October 15, 1953, in Gary, Ind. According to lore and past accounts, Jackson was discovered playing guitar by his father, Joe Jackson, after breaking a string. The Jackson patriarch instructed Tito to play for him and later asked his brothers Jackie and Jermaine to form a singing group. Marlon and Michael would join the group later and were dubbed The Jackson 5.
Showing prowess as performers by way of street performances, talent shows such as the Apollo Theater Amateur Night competition which the band won, and touring the so-called “Chitlin Circuit,” the Jackson brothers eventually signed a record deal with Steeltown Records in 1967 before signing with Motown in 1969.
The group found major success as an R&B act and crossed over to the mainstream bolstered by several hits. However, Tito’s guitar work never appeared on any of their albums under Motown and instead was played by musicians hired by the label. After leaving the label in 1976 for CBS Records, Tito would then get to display his work.
The years that followed resulted in various incarnations of the brothers as a singing group, with the youngest of them, Randy Jackson joining later under The Jacksons moniker. The brothers would continue to collaborate and tour with one another despite some shuffling of the lineup, releasing their final album as a group, 2300 Jackson Street in 1989.
In 2003, Tito Jackson embarked upon a solo career leaning into the Blues tradition and notched a Billboard charting single, “Get It Baby” from his 2016 album Tito Time featuring Big Daddy Kane. His sophomore album Under Your Spell was released in 2021.
Tito had three sons with his ex-wife Delores “Dee Dee” Martes, Taj, Taryll, and TJ, who later formed the R&B group 3T.
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Photo: Scott Dudelson / Getty
The entertainment world is mourning the loss of Tito Jackson, a founding member of the iconic Jackson 5.
Entertainment Tonight reported on Sunday (Sept. 15) that Tito, 70, died following a suspected heart attack while driving from New Mexico to Oklahoma, according to Steve Manning, a longtime Jackson family friend and former manager.
People later reported that Tito’s son Siggy Jackson confirmed the news of his passing, though there is currently no official cause of death.
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Tito was an integral part of the Jackson family’s musical dynasty. He, along with his brothers Michael, Jermaine, Marlon, and Jackie, formed The Jackson 5 in the 1960s. Their debut single, “I Want You Back,” became an instant sensation, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, as did their subsequent hits “ABC” and “I’ll Be There.”
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They were later inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.
Beyond his work with The Jackson 5, Tito pursued a solo career, releasing his debut album Tito Time in 2016. His single “Get It Baby” reached No. 19 on the Billboard Adult R&B Airplay chart.
Amid the news, Tito’s sons TJ, Taj, and Taryll have taken to Instagram to share their grief and confirm the devastating news with a heartfelt message:
“It’s with heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved father, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tito Jackson is no longer with us. We are shocked, saddened, and heartbroken. Our father was an incredible man who cared about everyone and their well-being.
“Some of you may know him as Tito Jackson from the legendary Jackson 5, some may know him as ‘Coach Tito’ or some know him as ‘Poppa T.’ Nevertheless, he will be missed tremendously. It will forever be ‘Tito Time’ for us. Please remember to do what our father always preached and that is ‘Love One Another.’ We love you Pops.”
They concluded with, “Your boys, Taj, Taryll, and TJ.”
Jonathan ‘Sugarfoot’ Moffett, a former drummer for the Jackson 5, also expressed his profound sadness on Facebook:
“There is great, great sadness in my heart, spirit, and soul tonight… I’m stunned and devastated to receive and hear this disheartening news. I love Tito like my brothers of blood relation… My thoughts are with my nephews in heart and spirit, 3T, and all his grandchildren. I love you all VERY much. You are my second family.”
Moffett continued, sharing his love and support for the Jackson family, including Tito’s mother Katherine Jackson: “Dear mother, I love you dearly. I love you, Tito Jackson, my brother… forever, still.”
The Jackson family is no stranger to tragedy, having previously lost Tito’s younger brother Michael Jackson in 2009, and their father, Joe Jackson, who passed in 2018 at age 89.
Just days before his death, Tito posted a message on social media from Munich, Germany, where he visited a memorial to Michael with his brothers. He wrote: “Before our show in Munich, my brothers Jackie, Marlon, and I, visited the beautiful memorial dedicated to our beloved brother, Michael Jackson.
“We’re deeply grateful for this special place that honours not only his memory but also our shared legacy. Thank you for keeping his spirit alive.”
As the world continues to process this loss, more tributes from fans and peers in the music industry are expected to come in, celebrating Tito’s life and legacy as both a musical icon and beloved family man.
Billboard has reached out to Tito Jackson’s representatives for comment.
This story is developing.
Tito Jackson, one of the founding members of the legendary Jackson 5, passed away at the age of 70 on Sunday, Sept. 15.
According to initial reports from Entertainment Tonight, Steve Manning, a longtime Jackson family friend, revealed that Tito is believed to have suffered a heart attack while driving from New Mexico to Oklahoma. People magazine later confirmed the news with Tito’s nephew, Siggy Jackson.
At the time of writing, the official cause of death has not been determined.
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BREAKING: Tito Jackson has died at the age of 70.Steve Manning, a longtime Jackson family friend and former Jackson family manager, tells ET that Tito passed away today. While an official cause of death has not yet been determined, Manning believes that Tito suffered a heart… pic.twitter.com/coZCZm3T9i— Entertainment Tonight (@etnow) September 16, 2024
Born Toriano Adaryll Jackson on October 15, 1953, in Gary, Indiana, Tito was an integral part of the Jackson family’s musical dynasty. He, along with his brothers Michael, Jermaine, Marlon, and Jackie, formed The Jackson 5 in the 1960s.
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Tito’s rhythm guitar work and the harmonies of his brothers helped the group achieve meteoric success, culminating in their signing to Motown Records in 1968. Their debut single, “I Want You Back,” became an instant sensation, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, as did their subsequent hits “ABC” and “I’ll Be There.”
While his younger brother Michael often dominated the spotlight, Tito’s steady presence as a musician and performer was crucial to the band’s success. The Jackson 5’s debut album, Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5 (1969), marked the beginning of their chart-topping career, with numerous tracks from that era becoming cultural staples.
In the 1970s, the group rebranded as The Jacksons after leaving Motown. Tito continued to perform and tour with his brothers through the 1980s, contributing to albums like Destiny and Triumph, both of which saw significant success on the Billboard 200 and R&B charts.
Beyond his work with The Jackson 5, Tito pursued a solo career, releasing his debut album Tito Time in 2016. His single “Get It Baby” reached No. 19 on the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart.
Tito’s passing follows the deaths of his younger brother Michael Jackson in 2009 and their father Joe Jackson, the family patriarch and early manager of The Jackson 5, who passed away in 2018 at the age of 89. Michael’s sudden death in 2009 from acute propofol intoxication shocked the world, and his legacy as the King of Pop remains an indelible part of music history.
Tito is survived by his three sons, Taj, Taryll, and TJ, who formed their own musical group, 3T, and by his numerous grandchildren. His ex-wife Delores “Dee Dee” Martes passed away in 1994.
Billboard has reached out to Tito Jackson’s representatives for comment.
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Frankie Beverly, long known as the frontman for the soul and funk band Maze, has died according to a statement released by the family. Beverly began his career as a teenager before eventually honing his sound which later became one of the foundations of modern R&B.
Beverly was born December 6, 1946, in Philadelphia, Pa., and lived in the East Germantown section. Beverly began singing in church and joined his first band at the age of 13. At 16, much to the dismay of his father who wanted him to take a more traditional route, Beverly formed an acapella group known as The Blenders. While still trying to find his signature sound, Beverly formed a new band known as The Butlers, who cut their first record in 1963.
In 1970, determined to make it in music, Beverly formed the band Raw Soul and moved west to San Francisco to pursue a career in the industry. A chance meeting with the sister-in-law of Marvin Gaye at the time led to a fruitful connection leading to opportunities for the band. The group toured with Gaye as his opening act and according to several accounts, the legendary R&B star urged Beverly to change the band’s name from Raw Soup to Maze.
Through the late 1970s and mid-1980s, Maze notched several hits that charted on Billboard’s Hot 100 and U.S. R&B charts, including “Joy & Pain,” “Southern Girl,” “Back In Stride” and the backyard two-step classic, “Before I Let Go” which was covered in 2019 by Beyoncé.
In the world of Hip-Hop, Maze has been sampled by a few notables of the genre including 50 Cent, T.I., Tha Dogg Pound, Rob Base & DJ EZ-Rock, 2Pac, and more. Maze was also a huge touring act, which featured Beverly in his signature all-white attire complete with a white baseball cap.
The statement from the Beverly family was shared on Instagram and reads as follows:
Grieving the loss of a loved one is a deeply personal and emotional experience. During this time, as we are navigating feelings of sorrow, reflection, and remembrance we kindly ask for privacy and understanding, allowing us the space to grieve in our own way. This period for is one of healing, and your respect for our need for solitude is appreciated as we honor the memory of our beloved Howard Stanley Beverly known to the world as Frankie Beverly.
He lived his life with pure soul as one would say, and for us, no one did it better. He lived for his music, family and friends.
Love one another as he would want that for us all.
On X, formerly known as Twitter, fans of Beverly expressed their sorrow and celebrated the life and legacy of the singer. We’ve got those reactions below.
Beverly was 77.
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Photo: Brian Stukes / Getty
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Rich Homie Quan, who hit the airwaves big with his single “Flex (Ooh, Ooh, Ooh),” has reportedly died according to several reports and messages from those close to him. As this is a breaking story, we will update this post repeatedly as more details emerge.
Rich Homie Quan, real name Dequantes Lamar, was born on October 4, 1989, in Atlanta, Ga. After a stint as a college baseball player and spending 15 months behind bars, Quan began taking music seriously around 2012 and continued to grow his artistry. In 2013, Quan scored his first hit, “Type Of Way” from his mixtape Still Goin In: Reloaded. He followed that with another gold-selling single “Walk Thru” with Problem the following year.
In 2015, the aforementioned “Flex” became Quan’s signature song and to date has sold over 3 million copies. He was also a member of Birdman’s supergroup Rich Gang with Young Thug.
From what we’re able to gather, the news was first broken by R&B singer Jacquees, who has collaborated with Rich Homie Quan and the wider Rich Gang collective on several tracks. Jacquees also shared an image of the pair, referring to his fallen comrade as a “legend.”
Rich Homie Quan’s name was also recently mentioned during the still-ongoing Young Thug and YSL trial in Georgia after YSL Woody curiously name-dropped the rapper while on the stand sending attendees inside the court including Thug himself into a fit of laughter.
On X, formerly Twitter, the news of Rich Homie Quan’s passing is still moving through the timeline. We’ve captured some responses and will return with more details as we have them.
Rich Homie Quan was 34.
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The music industry is mourning the loss of talent manager Jason Hobdy, who passed away on Friday, Aug. 30, at the age of 40.
According to Yvette Noel-Schure, Hobdy was on a flight returning from a tour in Japan with his artist, Maeta, when he fell ill. The Bronx native was known for his work with a roster of notable artists, including H.E.R., Maeta, Elijah Blake, and Tone Stith.
Jason Hobdy began his career at MBK Entertainment under the guidance of Jeff Robinson, Jeanine McClean, and Suzette Williams. Starting as an intern at just 16, Jason quickly immersed himself in the world of artist management, learning the ropes from some of the best in the business.
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His journey from street team work to tour management saw him traveling the world with artists like Alicia Keys, K. Michelle, and Lucky Daye. In a 2021 interview with Rolling Out, Jason reflected on his beginnings, saying, “I was just a little boy from the Bronx… It has opened up doors, I have traveled the world, and it has shown me that there’s a big world out here outside of the Bronx.”
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Jeff Robinson, CEO of MBK Entertainment, shared a tribute on Instagram, where he described Jason as a determined young man who fulfilled his childhood dream.
“When he was 11 years old, my nephew Jason ‘Hoody’ Hobdy told me that when he grew up, he was going to work for me and eventually run the company,” Robinson wrote.
“As a teen, he actually did start working for me… What a great life and career for a poor kid from the Bronx who loved to laugh and dream big, to running your own company and touring the world for years! I am so proud to call you my Nephew and PARTNER!”
He also expressed his deep pride in Jason’s achievements, acknowledging how he successfully managed artists and broke new acts. Robinson concluded by saying, “Your name will ring bells in heaven and Earth!! Rest well, Young King.”
Jason’s impact on the artists he managed was profound. Elijah Blake shared on Instagram, “Death is such a strange concept because we were on the phone laughing at 3 a.m…. All we ever did was joke bro… Your legacy is & will be that of a champion.”
Tone Stith also paid tribute, saying, “Hoody’s heart was so big that he was able to love everyone at the same level, and serve that person… A great example of living like Jesus Christ.”
In addition to his work at MBK, Jason founded his own management company He was also an A&R consultant for Monarch Distro since 2022.
Jason Hobdy is survived by his family, including many brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and his industry family worldwide.
Texas rapper BeatKing has died at the age of 39. The rapper and producer behind tracks like “Then Leave” and “Scream,” born Justin Riley, was a driving force in Houston’s underground scene. BeatKing’s passing was confirmed on Aug. 15, by his manager, Tasha Felder, in a statement posted to Instagram. “Today, Aug. 15, 2024, we […]