RIP
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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.
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3. Trigger Warning
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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
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The legendary Willie Mays, a trailblazing Black, pro baseball star, has passed away. He was 93.
On Tuesday, July 18, the San Francisco Giants and Mays family announced that he had passed early in the afternoon.
“My father has passed away peacefully and among loved ones,” said son Michael Mays in a statement. “I want to thank you all from the bottom of my broken heart for the unwavering love you have shown him over the years. You have been his life’s blood.”
Known as the “Say Hey Kid,” Mays’ talent included an incredible mix of power, speed and finesse, which made him one of the MLB’s most popular players during his heyday, no pun, and beyond.
Mays began his career with the Negro Leagues in 1948 and made his Major League debut with the then-New York Giants in 1951 at 20 years old, winning Rookie of the Year honors. Mays played in 24 All-Stars game and secured 12 Gold Glove Awards before ending his career with 660 home runs and a .301 career batting average when retiring in 1973.
In Game 1 of the World Series in 1954, the New York Giants were at home playing the Cleveland Indians, who were the favorites. With the scored tied 2-2 at the top of Cleveland’s Vic Wertz hit a fastball to deep center field in the Polo Grounds. Mays tracked the ball down, using all his speed to bring in the drive with an over the shoulder catch, with his back to home plate. The play would become known as “The Catch.”
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Mays was voted into the Hall of Fame in 1979 and his number 24 was retired by the San Francisco Giants. Mays was awarded the prestigious Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2015.
Rest in powerful peace Willie Mays.
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NBA legend Jerry West aka Mr. Clutch, has passed away. He was 86.
The Los Angeles Clippers, one of the organizations where West long was an executive, announced his passing on Wednesday morning (June 12). Famously, West was the inspiration for the NBA’s now iconic logo, which is a silhouette from the Hall of Fame guard’s playing days.
On the front office side, West was the general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers during its “Showtime” dynasty that included Magic Johnson, James Worthy and other stars. It was West who secured the draft rights for the Lakers to lock in a young high school basketball star named Kobe Bryant.
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Among West’s extensive on-the-court accomplishments as a pro, after starring at West Virginia University, were 12 All-NBA selections, 14 All-Star selections and a championship with the 1972 Los Angeles Lakers. A member of the NBA’s 75th anniversary team, he was a member of the 1960 US Olympic basketball team and entered the NBA Hall of Fame in 1980.
West’s passing is reverberating throughout social media, with peers, NBA pros, journalists and basketball fans saluting the legend. See some of the more poignant tributes in the gallery.
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It has been a little over a week since the untimely passing of Atlanta Hip-Hop luminary Rico Wade. The founder of the Dungeon Family will be laid to rest on Friday, April 26 at a private funeral.
The late Organized Noize members homegoing will be held at the famed Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. Per his press representative, Wade will be eulogized “privately and by invitation only” for close friends and family.
Although the services will be private, Clark Atlanta’s band is scheduled to perform hits produced by Organized Noize (Wade, Sleep Brown and Ray Murray) outside of Ebenezer Baptist, the same church where Martin Luther King, Jr. served as co-pastor and is currently lead by US Senator Raphael Warnock.
For those wanting to pay their respects along the funeral procession, details of the scheduled arrangements are below:
Event: Private Funeral Service for Rico Wade
Date: Friday, April 26, 2024
Time: 11 AM (arrivals typically happen 30 minutes prior)
Location: Ebenezer Baptist Church located @ 101 Jackson St NE, Atlanta, GA 30312
Procession to Gravesite Route:
Start MLK @ Mercedes Benz
Left on Harlan Road SW – Flowers to be laid at 409 Harlon Road SW
Right on Peyton Road SW
Right on Hayne
Left on Lynhurst Drive SW
Left Cascade Road
Right on Adams Drive – Flowers to be laid at 1590 Adams Drive SW
Left on Childress Drive SW
Left on Campbellton Road
Right on Delowe Drive
Right on Headland Drive – Flowers to be laid at the corner of Delowe and Headliand
Rest in powerful peace Rico Wade.
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According to multiple sources, DJ Mister Cee, born Calvin LeBrun, has passed away. He was 57.
“We have lost the iconic Mister Cee,” wrote Hot 97’s Peter Rosenberg on X, formerly Twitter, confirming his longtime colleague’s untimely death. “I listened to him yesterday and am in complete shock. He was a dear friend to all of us, a wonderful man, and one of the most important and impactful DJs of all time. I love you Cee.”
The loss is a heavy one for Hip-Hop culture. Born in Bedford–Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, in the late 80’s Mister Cee came to fame as Big Daddy Kane’s DJ, who he met while in high school. As part of the Juice Crew, Cee was there on Kane’s seminal debut album Long Live The Kane, featuring on a song called “Mister Cee’s Master Plan” with his expert cutting and scratching throughout the album.
But perhaps even more notable is that Cee is credited with discovering late, great rapper the Notorious B.I.G. Cee was among the first to co-sign the then local rap phenom before appearing in The Source magazine’s Unsigned Hype section.
Later on in his career, Cee would shine on the radio at New York City Hip-Hop station Hot 97, where he was nicknamed The Finisher, and the party scene. Controversy in Mister Cee’s personal life would ensue after multiple arrests for soliciting trans prostitutes. Although he denied being gay, he did admit to an affinity for seeking oral sex from trans women.
There is no cause of death reported at this time.
Rest in power DJ Mister Cee.
This story is developing.
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Groundbreaking rapper Boss, born Lichelle Marie Laws, and one the first female MC’s signed to Def Jam, has passed away. She was 54.
Bun B broke the news of her death when the Texas rapper shared his condolences on his Instagram.
“Rest in peace to my big sis Lichelle Laws AKA Boss. One of the best female MCs and a dear friend,” wrote B in the caption of a photo of Boss flipping up a pair birds. “Give Rick Royal a hug for me. Long Live The Org!”
Boss, stylized Bo$$, was the very first female rap act signed to Def Jam, with her debut album, Born Gangstaz, released in 1993. The lead single—the Def Jef produced “Deeper”—was a no. 1 hit on the rap charts. Her gruff style and hardcore delivery, along with beats provided by Erick Sermon, T-Ray, MC Serch and the late Jam Master Jay, amongst others, quickly made her a fan favorite, but a proper follow-up album never materialized.
Although tabbed as a West Coast rapper, she was actually born in Detroit. Moving to Los Angeles after high school, she was discovered by DJ Quik, who put her on a track with AMG. Word is it got the attention of Def Jam co-founder Russell Simmons, who inked her to the label’s fledgling Def Jam West imprint—but those in the know say Tracy Waples (an executive producer on the album) is who actually pushed for her signing.
In the mid-1990s she reportedly settled in Houston, where she remained ever since. Unfortunately, in 2011 she experience kidney failure and suffered from a stroke in 2017. At this time there are no specifics about her cause of death.
As information got out about her untimely passing the Hip-Hop community—fans, friends and peers—started saluting her on social media. Peep some of the overdue flowers given in the gallery.
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It’s been one year since the world lost Dave aka Trugoy The Dove of De La Soul. His bandmates celebrated him on the anniversary of his passing.
The late great Trugoy The Dove, born Dave Dave Jolicoeur met his ancestors on Feb. 12, 2023. This year his friends and family remembered him on social media.
Posdnuos wrote a touching message on his Instagram account about his former partner in rhyme. “I feel conflicted posting this on this date…Dave disliked when people were publicly remembered on the day they were lost….” he revealed. “The day they transitioned but I’m sure he also respected how people chose to remember those they love and have lost. So on this day I will stand alongside all the people who cherish him as well as kept @wearedelasoul in their prayers but to be clear I miss him in the physical everyday, rep for him everyday & will talk to someone about him everyday.”
The same day the “Rock Co. Kane Flow” rapper shared some never before seen footage of the two MC’s laying down some vocals in a home studio. The official De La Soul Instagram page also sourced sound bytes from his peers and collaborators in an effort to show the world how special Dave was as a person.
Jarobi White of A Tribe Called Quest paid his respect to him saying “My favorite memory with Dave is all of them; from playing Ruthless to pass the coodies. My favorite verse of his or song should I say “Itzsoweezee (Hot)””. Common also explained how the group changed his life when he first heard “Plug Tunin’”. He reminisced on how the legendary trio took Common to London for the first time. “A couple of ladies liked me in the crowd, and I was like a couple of ladies in the crowd and that’s when Dave gave me this name – Enrique” he laughed.
Trugoy revealed he was diagnosed with congestive heart failure back in 2017. The cause of his death has never been shared publicly.
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Carl Weathers—the actor famed for roles such as Apollo Creed in the Rocky franchise and the eponymous character Action Jackson—has passed away. He was 76.
On Friday (Feb. 2), Weathers’ family announced his passing.
“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Carl Weathers,” said his family in a statement. “He died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, February 1st, 2024. … Carl was an exceptional human being who lived an extraordinary life. Through his contributions to film, television, the arts and sports, he has left an indelible mark and is recognized worldwide and across generations. He was a beloved brother, father, grandfather, partner, and friend.”
Beloved is an understatement. Weathers’ filmography is filled with cult classic flicks where he left an indelible mark on audiences. Some of those include portraying Colonel Al Dillon in Predator (1987), Apollo Creed in the first four Rocky (1976) films, Derick “Chubbs” Peterson in Happy Gilmore (1996) and Jericho “Action” Jackson in Action Jackson (1988) on the big screen as well as Police Chief Hampton Forbes on television’s In The Heat Of The Night from 1993 to 1995
Most recently, Weathers received acclaim for portraying Greef Karga in the Disney+ Star Wars series The Mandalorian across its three seasons and earned an Emmy nomination for the role in 2021.
Weathers was born on January 14, 1948 in New Orleans and was a talented high school and college athlete, playing football for San Diego State University. After a short-lived pro football career, he started pursuing acting, with one his earliest parts being an appearance on Good Times.
Social media is paying respects to the esteemed actor, and we’ve collected some tributes, and fan favorite film moments in the gallery. Rest in powerful peace Carl Weathers.