RIP
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Over the weekend the OG Hip-Hop world mourned together as word broke that legendary Hip-Hop artist TJ Swan passed away at the young age of 57.
Taking to instagram to announce the sad news, Roxanne Shanté shocked her followers when she revealed that her former Juice Crew comrade had returned to the essence with an IG post dedicated to TJ Swan with a caption that read “We are sad to Announce the passing of our Hip Hop Brother TJ Swan the original Bally Silk shirt King.”
Known for rocking shiny silk shirts and designer Bally shoes, TJ Swan made a name for himself as part of the legendary Juice Crew which gave us Hip-Hop icons such as Roxanne Shanté, Biz Markie and Big Daddy Kane amongst many others. Taking to his own IG page to pay homage to TJ Swan, Big Daddy Kane paid respect to his Hip-Hop brother-in-arms with a video tribute of his own writing, “Rest well my good Brother!!! Rocking at a party, Shocking everybody!”
Legendary Hip-Hop producer, DJ Premier too took the time to show love to Swan with a picture of TJ and Biz Markie and in the caption wrote “(R.I.P.)TJ Swan had a iLL style that was so Hip Hop but Soulful at the same time. A Juice Crew ICON. The Biz records and MC Shan records are all timeless and you made them complete when you were featured. I am a day 1 fan. R.I.P. To TJ Swan, Biz Markie, Mister Cee and DJ Polo.”
No cause of death as been revealed as of yet.
R.I.P, King.
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Actor David Harris, who famously portrayed Cochise in the cult classic film The Warriors, has passed away. He was 75.
According to the New York Times, Harris died in his home in New York City after a battle with cancer, per his daughter Davina Harris.
Harris appeared in films like A Soldier’s Story and Fatal Beauty, and television shows including NYPD Blue, In The Heat of the Night and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. But it was no doubt The Warriors, released in 1979, that still got him recognized wherever he went.
In The Warriors, a Hip-Hop movie through and through for those that know, the eponymously named gang has to make it all the way back to Coney Island after a big gang meeting in The Bronx goes left when Cyrus—who hoped to unite all the gangs—gets shot and killed after his epic “Can you dig it?!” speech. Keep in mind , there are no cell phones or Ubers, just NYC’s rapid transit and every other gang in the city out to stop them. It was Cochise who proved to be one of the more thorough members of the crew, showing deference to war chief Swan, finding time to party with girls on the way home and willingly throwing hands when it became necessary.
“I was the last Warrior cast,” Harris told The Five Count podcast during an interview. “Walter Hill saw like, I don’t, 300 or 400 actors for Cochise in The Warriors in New York, but he could find Cochise. I was in Minneapolis doing a play and I got back to New York and Walter was still trying to find Cochise. My agent said, Hey man there’s this movie in the city and there’s a part that they’re having a problem casting… I walk into the room, I had two scenes to read for Walter but he took one look at me [and] said, Go down to wardrobe. He found his Cochise.”
Rest in powerful peace David Harris.
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The cause of death of the celebrated actor John Amos has been revealed as his family members are clashing publicly.
Veteran actor John Amos’ cause of death was revealed as his family members and others continue to clash publicly over the situation. According to reports from People Magazine, Amos died of congestive heart failure at an Inglewood, California hospital at 5:18 P.M. on August 21. Further records show that Amos was cremated on August 30, nine days after his passing. His son, Kelly Christopher “K.C.” Amos, is listed as the informant on the death certificate by Los Angeles County. Records also show that there was no autopsy conducted.
John Amos’ death announcement, which occurred on October 1, has reignited a public feud between K.C. and his sister, Shannon Amos. In a post on Instagram, Shannon Amos wrote “We are devastated and left with many questions about how this happened 45 days ago, learning about it through the media like so many of you,” detailing that she was “struggling” to
comprehend the “uncertainties surrounding his passing.”
She would also be part of a statement from “collective family and close friends,” including Amos’ goddaughter Amy Goudy that was issued on Facebook on October 2. The statement questioned K.C. Amos’ treatment of their father in his final days and alleged that he failed to notify other family members of the circumstances, claiming “he was likely cremated to avoid any potential investigation into the conditions surrounding his final days.” Shannon and K.C. have clashed before, with Shannon claiming elder abuse was committed by K.C.
John Amos’ publicist, Belinda Foster, who was also named along with K.C. Amos in the statement, refuted those claims citing a 2023 no-contact court order in New Jersey that Shannon brought against K.C. “At the time of his death, John was concerned that Shannon might turn his death and interment into a circus as she had done with other aspects of his life.” Foster wrote, adding: “It was John who requested the delay in announcing his death to Shannon and the rest of the world.” The publicist (who would note that the 84-year-old Amos denied any elder abuse in the past) would conclude by saying, “For the sake of preserving John’s well-earned reputation as a superb actor and a community activist, we hope we can put to rest these nonsensical claims that Shannon is offering out of her own pain as a result of estrangement from her father.”
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John Amos, the actor famed for portraying James Evans on Good Times, amongst other roles, has passed away. He was 83.
Variety reports that Amos’ reps confirmed that he actually passed away over a month ago, on August 21, in Los Angeles from natural causes. It is unclear why it took so long for the public to become aware of his death.
“It is with heartfelt sadness that I share with you that my father has transitioned,” said Amos’ son, Kelly Christopher Amos, in a statement. “He was a man with the kindest heart and a heart of gold… and he was loved the world over. Many fans consider him their TV father. He lived a good life. His legacy will live on in his outstanding works in television and film as an actor. My father loved working as an actor throughout his entire life…. most recently in ‘Suits LA’ playing himself and our documentary about his life journey as an actor, ‘America’s Dad.’ He was my dad, my best friend, and my hero. Thank you for your prayers and support at this time.”
Born in Newark and raised in East Orange, New Jersey, Amos’ most popular role as an actor was easily as the middle-aged, blue collar father James Evans on Good Times. But it is worth noting that Amos was infamously fired after three seasons on the hit show due to disagreements with its writers. Apparently, Amos felt the scribes didn’t understand the Black people they were supposed to be writing about.
“The truth of it was when the show first started, we had no African-American writers on the show, and some of the attitudes they had written, as per my character and, frankly, for some of the other characters as well, caused me to say, ‘Uh uh, we can’t do this, we can’t do that.’ And they’d say, ‘What do you mean we can’t do this?’,” Amos told Sway In The Morning in 2017. “They’d go on about their credits and all the rest of that and I’d look at each and every one of them and say, ‘Well, how long have you been Black? That just doesn’t happen in the community. We don’t think that way. We don’t act that way. We don’t let our children do that. I was laying down what I thought were good rules to make the show stronger and better, they didn’t agree with me.’”
Other beloved characters in the late actor’s portfolio include Kansas City Mack in 1975’s Let’s Do It Again, Cleo McDowell in 1988’s Coming To America, and the adult Kunta Kinte in 1977’s miniseries Roots.
As soon as news of Amos’ passing start to spread, tributes to his greatness began pouring in over social media. We’ve compiled some of the more notable reactions below.
Rest in powerful peace John Amos.
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Dikembe Mutombo, the shot-blocking NBA legend and member of its Hall of Fame, has passed away. He was only 58.
NBA analyst Shams Charania reported that Mutombo passed away from brain cancer. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver released a statement announcing the eight-time NBA All-Star and philanthropist’s death.
“Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life. On the court, he was one of the greatest shot blockers and defensive players in the history of the NBA,” said Silver. “Off the floor, he poured his heart and soul into helping others.”
OG NBA fans remember Mount Mutombo blocking shots and famously waving his finger at anyone who tried him when he was protecting the rim.
Even before his playing days were over, Mutombo began helping the people of his native Democratic Republic of the Congo, a passion that saw him open a school and hospital via his charity. He also served as a Global Ambassador for the NBA.
As soon as news of his passing broke, Xitter began going up for Mutombo, saluting for his exploits on the court and a life well played. Rest in powerful peace Dikembe Mutombo.
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It’s been almost two weeks since beloved Hip-Hop radio personality turned star Fatman Scoop passed away at the young age of 53 . While there has been an outpouring of love and memories from his fans and peers since then, everyone will get one more chance to say goodbye to the man born Issac Freeman on Thursday, September 12 in Harlem.
On Tuesday (Sept. 10), the family of Fatman Scoop took to Instagram to announce that they would be holding a ceremony in remembrance of the legendary Hip-Hop personality at the iconic Apollo Theater on September 12 and invited all to take part in the celebration of his life and career.
“Please join the Freeman family in the celebration of Isaac “Fatman Scoop” Freeman at the Apollo this Thursday.”
Tickets for the event are available on the Apollo Theater website and will surely go fast as the man has endeared himself to countless people over his decades long career. The event will be held from 3:00pm to 5:00pm
Fatman Scoop was one of the few radio personalities that make the transition from on air radio show host to a featured hypeman on numerous music hits such as Missy Elliott’s “Lose Control,” The Beatnut’s “Let’s Git Doe,” and even Mariah Carey’s “It’s Like That.” The man was really blessed with the voice and energy to hype up the crowd and for that we’re forever thankful.
Unfortunately, the man’s life was cut way too short when he collapsed onstage during a performance in Hamden, Connecticut this past August 30. With hopes and prayers flooding the internet after word of his health scare hit the internet, everyone was devastated to learn that he had passed away shortly afterwards.
He will be missed.
Rest In Power, King.
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The iconic film legend James Earl Jones has passed. He was 93.
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Fatman Scoop, born Isaac Freeman III, has reportedly passed away. He was 52.
The CT Insider reports that Scoop’s tour manager confirmed his passing. On Friday evening (August 30), Scoop reportedly suffered some type of medical emergency while on stage at the Hamden Town Center Park in Connecticut. CPR was performed before he was transported to a local hospital.
Scoop’s tour manager, Birch Michael aka Pure Cold, took to social media to announce the beloved rapper and hyepman’s death. “I am honestly lost for words… You took me all over the world and had me performing alongside you on some of the biggest and greatest stages on this planet, the things you taught me have truely made me the man I am today,” said Pure Cold in his post. “Thank you so much, I love you x.”
Scoop and his booming voice came to fame in the late 90’s and early 2000’s, thanks to his earworm hooks on party break tracks like “Where U @?” with Crooklyn Clan. But it was own club-rocking anthem, the Faith Evans (and many more) sampling “Be Faithful” that made him a star. It reportedly took years to get the track’s multiple samples cleared. He also featured on Missy Elliott’s his singled “Lose Control” with Ciara.
But real heads remember Fatman Scoop as the former radio promotions man at Tommy Boy Records who would be seen in the label’s famed ads in back of The Source magazine.
Recently, Fatman Scoop linked up with the Bronx rapper Dyce Peso, appearing on a song called
Since news of his collapse and unfortunate passing broke, social media has been mourning and honoring the Hip-Hop legend for his contributions to the culture.
Rest in powerful peace Fatman Scoop.
This story is developing.
3. Trigger Warning
4.
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On Thursday (August 15) during the evening hours, the Hip-Hop community was shocked and saddened to learn that legendary Texas artist BeatKing had suddenly passed away at the too young age of 39.
According to KHOU, BeatKing’s manager, Tasha Felder, took to Instagram to announce the sudden passing of the man born Justin Riley. Having been a part of the Texas music scene—he recently performed at Birthday Bash in Atlanta—for more than a decade, BeatKing carved a niche out for himself on the rap scene by producing some big club hits over the years before going viral with his breakout smash “Then Leave” in 2020.
Though no information is available as to his cause of death it is suspected that it was due to health issues we were not aware of. His manager took the time to give the man his flowers in the Instagram post that broke hearts all across the Hip-Hop board.
“BeatKing has been the best part of the club for over a decade,” read Felder’s caption. “He has produced and worked with so many artists, that his sound will forever live. He loved his daughters @clubgodparenting, his music and his fans. We will love him forever.”
R.I.P, Clubgodzilla.
What was your favorite BeatKing cut? Let us know in the comments section below.
This story is developing.
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DJ Polo, born Thomas E. Pough, of Kool G. Rap & DJ Polo fame has passed away.
Word of DJ Polo’s untimely passing began circulating online on July 27. Fellow rap pioneer Eric B took to social media to pay his condolences. “My brother DJ POLO we had some great times you will never be forgotten GODS speed,” wrote Eric B as a caption to a photo of DJ Polo.
No cause of death has been reported at this time.
The story goes that Kool G. Rap and DJ Polo were invited by the late Mr. Magic and Marley Marl to create a demo in their studio. The result was “It’s A Demo,” which left Marley and Magic so impressed that G. Rap and Polo were made part of the Juice Crew, which included Big Daddy Kane, Roxanne Shante, Biz Markie and more. “It’s A Demo” would appear on Kool G. Rap & DJ Polo’s debut album, Road To The Riches, in 1989, which also featured classic cuts like the title track, “Men At Work” and “Poison.” The duo would release two more albums—1990’s Wanted: Dead or Alive and 1992’s Live And Let Die—before parting ways.
Polo would drop his own solo project, Polo’s Playhouse, in 1998.
Rest in power DJ Polo—our sincerest condolences to his family. Check out fans and notable rappers paying their respects in the gallery.
11. Kool G Rap And DJ Polo Portrait Shoot
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK–DECEMBER 04: Rappers Kool G Rap (aka Nathaniel Thomas Wilson; G Rap; Kool Genius Of Rap) and DJ Polo appear in a portrait taken on December 4, 1992 in New York City. (Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images/Michael Ochs Archives) vertical,photography,arts culture and entertainment,usa,new york city,portrait,1990-1999,black and white,photo shoot