Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E. member Monsta O aka Danny Devoux has reportedly passed away yesterday (October 12). The bassist and producer for the veteran collective was 56 years old. The cause of death is unknown, however, West Coast Hip-Hop insider Chad M. Kiser is among those who broke the news, with Rock The Bells among the publications also reporting the loss.

Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E. carries more than 35 years of Hip-Hop and Gangsta Rap history. The collective of Ted, Paul, Donald, Roscoe, Danny, David and later, Vincent Devoux (who replaced David) hailed from Carson, California. Their name mimicked the sound of a shotgun blast with the second half serving as an acronym for Too Rough International Boo-Yaa Empire.

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Despite their Calif roots, Boo-Yaa gained popularity in Japan during a stay there in the late 1980s while known as the Blue City Crew. In 1990, the re-branded then-sextet released New Funky Nation. The former breakers and church musicians released a 4th & B’way/Island Records album that cracked the Top 200. The group (who played many instruments on the LP) worked with the same Dust Brothers that had worked on Beastie Boys’ Paul’s Boutique an album prior, as well as Joe “The Butcher” Nicolo, future co-founder of Ruffhouse Records. Monsta O was the bassist who also became responsible for producing some of the group’s songs, including a hand in 1990’s “R.A.I.D.,” and much of 1997’s Angry Samoans album.

Later, during the 2000s, Monsta O joined Death Row Records as part of the short-lived “Row Hitters.” The production outfit  also featuring Darren Vegas and Jim Gittum worked on Tupac’s posthumous, Until The End Of Time, Tha Dogg Pound’s 2002 album, as well as early Crooked I (aka KXNG Crooked) solo material. On 2003’s West Coasta Nostra, Monsta O and Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E. collaborated with Eminem, B-Real, and others.

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Monsta O’s passing follows the 2018 death of Godfather Ted, and the 2020 passing of Ganxsta Ridd, who passed from complications related to COVID-19.

Ambrosia For Heads extends condolences to the Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E., and the family and fans of Danny Devoux.