Obituary ArchivesAmbrosia For Heads

Rico Wade Of Organized Noize Has Passed Away

Rico Wade, a co-creator of Organized Noize and the Dungeon Family, has passed away. Killer Mike, a member of D.F. and somebody who worked with Rico as recently as last year's Grammy-winning MICHAEL album, confirmed the news online. "I don't have the words to express my deep and profound sense... Read more

April 13, 2024 News

Legendary DJ Mister Cee Has Passed Away

Legendary DJ, radio personality, and Hip-Hop producer Mister Cee has reportedly died. The Brooklyn, New Yorker born Calvin LeBrun was instrumental to the careers of The Notorious B.I.G. and Big Daddy Kane during a career that lasted over 35 years. He was believed to be 57 years old at the... Read more

April 10, 2024 News, Trending Stories

Amp Fiddler, Detroit Legend & J Dilla Mentor, Has Passed Away

This morning (December 18), the music world has learned that Detroit, Michigan music pioneer Amp Fiddler has died at the age of 65. The artist, musician, and producer born Joseph Anthony Fiddler is known for his years as a member of both Parliament and Funkadelic, a collaborator of Prince, as... Read more

December 18, 2023 News, Trending Stories

Legendary Hip-Hop Producer 45 King Has Passed Away

As Hip-Hop celebrates its 50th anniversary, of the most music's legendary producers has reportedly died. 45 King, aka Mark James, is known for founding the original Flavor Unit—a launchpad for the careers of Queen Latifah, Lakim Shabazz, Apache, Chill Rob G, and Latee. The Bronx native (who relocated to New... Read more

October 19, 2023 News

Clarence Avant “The Black Godfather Of Music” Has Passed Away

Clarence Avant, one of the most influential and respected figures in Black Music's history, has died at age 92. The famed executive "passed away gently at home" yesterday (August 13), according to a family statement given to The Los Angeles Times. "Through his revolutionary business leadership, Clarence became affectionately known as 'The... Read more

August 14, 2023 News

Magoo Has Passed Away At Age 50

Magoo, one-half of Timbaland & Magoo, has reportedly passed away. The Chesapeake, Virginia artist born Melvin Barcliff died yesterday (August 13) at 50 years, according to friends and collaborators, including Ginuine and Playa producer Digital Black. No cause of death has been revealed at this time. “I don’t even know... Read more

August 14, 2023 News

Heavily Sampled Jazz Legend Ahmad Jamal Has Passed Away

Ahmad Jamal, the Grammy Award-winning Jazz pianist, band leader, and composer, has died. He was 92 when he passed earlier today (April 16) at his Massachusetts home. Jamal, a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has over 70 years of recordings in his discography—which also includes the Ahmad Jamal Trio, and collaborative... Read more

April 16, 2023 News

Heavily Sampled Artist Bobby Caldwell Has Passed Away

For more than 45 years, singer, songwriter, and musician Bobby Caldwell blurred the lines of genre with a celebrated, multi-platinum catalog of music that wove together Jazz, R&B, and Soul. Much of that music was inspired by the complexities of romantic relationships. Bobby passed away this week at age 71,... Read more

March 15, 2023 News

Dave From De La Soul Has Passed Away

The Hip-Hop community is devastated to learn that one of its legends has passed. In a developing story, David Jude Jolicoeur (aka Trugoy The Dove), from De La Soul, passed away at age 54. No exact cause of death has been provided. Peers and collaborators have confirmed the news on... Read more

February 12, 2023 News

Gangsta Boo Has Passed Away At 43 Years Old

Three 6 Mafia alum Gangsta Boo has died. Several sources, including TMZ, report that the 43-year-old rapper born Lola Mitchell was found dead on Sunday (January 1). The Memphis, Tennessee native has been mourned by Three 6's DJ Paul, Ty Dolla $ign, and others. No cause of death has been... Read more

January 1, 2023 News

Grand Daddy I.U. Has Passed Away

In a year already marred by loss, Hip-Hop has learned of another tragedy. Long Island, New York's Grand Daddy I.U. has reportedly died. The MC/producer has been mourned publicly by LL Cool J, Pete Rock, Diamond D, Bumpy Knuckles, and others. At this time, no cause of death has been... Read more

December 13, 2022 News

Multiple Arrests Have Been Made For The Killing Of Takeoff

One month after the killing of Migos rapper Takeoff, the public has learned that an arrest has been made. According to the Houston Police Department, 33-year-old Patrick Xavier Clark, 33 arrested on a murder charge on the city's east side of Houston, Texas, Thursday evening (December 1). The New York Times... Read more

December 2, 2022 News

Don Newkirk Of De La Soul & 3rd Bass Fame Has Passed Away

Don Newkirk's music and voice touched vital Hip-Hop records by Stetsasonic, 3rd Bass, De La Soul, and solo releases of his longtime friend and close collaborator Prince Paul. He and Paul co-founded groups, including BROOKZILL! and Baby Elephant. The Bronx-born, Long Island, New York-raised artist has passed away. Paul was... Read more

November 26, 2022 News

Erick Sermon Confirms The Passing Of Hurricane G

UPDATE: On Monday, November 7, The New York Post reported that according to family members, Hurricane G had been battling cancer. “My mom has stage 4 lung cancer,” Gloria's daughter Lexus previously announced via social media. “I don’t know how many of you understand what that means but even after... Read more

November 7, 2022 News

The Artifacts’ Tame One Has Passed Away At 52

NOVEMBER 7 UPDATE: Fans and friends of Tame One have learned some additional information surrounding his recent death. The artist born Rahem Brown was mourned by his mother and other family members online. “I can‘t express this any other way,” Tame's mother, Darlene Brown, Harris wrote in a Facebook post, as... Read more

November 7, 2022 News

Migos Member Takeoff Has Been Shot & Killed

Migos co-founder Takeoff was shot and killed at a downtown Houston, Texas bowling alley and pool hall Tuesday morning (November 1). The 28-year-old born Kirshnik Khari Ball has been confirmed dead by sources, including TMZ, which has published photographs of the slain chart-topping Greater Atlanta, Georgia Rap artist. Reports indicate... Read more

November 1, 2022 News

Biggie Smalls’ Demo Tape Collaborator DJ 50 Grand Has Passed Away

DJ 50 Grand played a pivotal role in the career of Biggie Smalls. The Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn native born Kevin Griffin has reportedly died over last weekend at the age of 55. No cause of death has been made public. Junior M.A.F.I.A. member Lil' Cease, Revolt, and Andscape's Justin Tinsley... Read more

June 15, 2022 News

Rapper Trouble Killed In Atlanta Domestic Dispute

UPDATE: FOX 5 Atlanta reports that Jamichael Jones has turned himself into Rockdale, Georgia authorities. The 33-year-old has surrendered, following a two-day manhunt after the killing of Mariel Semonte Orr, who rapped under the name Trouble. Jones reportedly agreed to cooperate after police interrogated the suspect's mother. Reportedly while at... Read more

June 7, 2022 News

Master P Mourns The Loss Of His Daughter

This past weekend, Master P confirmed that his daughter, Tytyana Miller, had passed away at the age of 29. She was found at a home in California's San Fernando Valley on Saturday (May 28). Tytyana was the child of P and ex-wife Sonya C., both of whom were members of Hip-Hop group... Read more

June 1, 2022 News

Former Death Row Records Singer Jewell Has Passed Away

Jewell is an R&B singer-songwriter who made hits with Dr. Dre, Tha Dogg Pound, N.W.A., and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. According to collaborator and former label-mate Daz Dillinger, the former Death Row Records artist born Jewell Caples has passed away this morning (May 6). No cause of death has been made public.... Read more

May 6, 2022 News

Hi-Five Member Roderick “Pooh” Clark Has Passed Away At Age 49

Roderick "Pooh" Clark of gold-selling R&B quintet Hi-Five has died. The 49-year-old singer passed Sunday (April 17) from complications related to an infection and pneumonia. According to TMZ, he passed in a Waco, Texas hospital, where Clark and the rest of the group are from. Reports suggest he had been battling... Read more

April 19, 2022 News

DJ Kay Slay Has Passed Away At The Age Of 55

DJ Kay Slay has died. The man born Keith Grayson passed away yesterday (April 17) after a four-month-long battle with COVID-19. Kay Slay's Hip-Hop career stems back more than 40 years from his days as a graffiti icon into a leader in music, radio, and street publishing. The bold personality... Read more

April 18, 2022 News

Former Death Row Records Artist CPO Boss Hogg Has Passed Away

CPO Boss Hogg was at the epicenter of the 1990s West Coast Hip-Hop movement. The Compton, California native born Vince Edwards has died this week, as confirmed by friend, journalist, and past Ambrosia For Heads contributor Chad Kiser. Details were not made public. However, CPO had posted about his ongoing health... Read more

January 13, 2022 News

Sidney Poitier Has Passed Away At Age 94

One of Hollywood's greatest actors, Sir Sidney Poitier, has died. He was 94 years old. Poitier starred in such films as In The Heat Of The Night, Blackboard Jungle, Guess Who's Coming To Dinner, and They Call Me Mister Tibbs!. Poitier also directed Uptown Saturday Night and Let's Do It Again—two... Read more

January 7, 2022 News, TV/Film

Actor & Screenwriter Max Julien Has Passed Away

Following a 2021 marred by losses, 2022 began with news of another legend passing away. Actor Max Julien passed away at the age of 88 in Sherman Oaks, California, yesterday (January 1). No cause of death has been determined at this time. His wife of 30 years, Arabella, confirmed the... Read more

January 2, 2022 News, TV/Film

Drakeo The Ruler Killed At Once Upon A Time In LA Music Festival

Los Angeles, California artist Drakeo The Ruler has died. The 28-year-old born Darrell Caldwell was fatally stabbed Saturday at the Once Upon A Time In L.A. Festival. The New York Times confirmed his passing this afternoon after speaking with Drakeo's team. The concert ended after the stabbing transpired during the altercation at a... Read more

December 19, 2021 News

U.T.F.O. Member Kangol Kid Has Passed Away

Kangol Kid, a co-founding member and front-man of Brooklyn, New York Hip-Hop group U.T.F.O. died early this morning (December 18). The artist born Shiller Shaun Fequiere had been battling stage 4 colon cancer since a diagnosis early this year. HipHopDX is among the outlets that confirmed the news after speaking... Read more

December 18, 2021 News

Former Roots Bassist Leonard “Hub” Hubbard Passes Away

Former member of The Roots, Grammy Award-winning bassist and songwriter Leonard "Hub" Hubbard has died after complications from multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. Hub's wife told Philadelphia, Pennsylvania's ABC 6, “It happened quickly. He didn’t suffer a lot.” Hub played with the group from the mid-1990s until the... Read more

December 16, 2021 News

Designer Virgil Abloh Passes Away At Age 41

In a breaking story, fashion designer and executive Virgil Abloh has died today (November 28). Louis Vuitton, where the 41-year-old served as Artistic Director of menswear, confirmed the news across social channels. According to the statement, the founder of Off-White had privately been battling cancer. He is survived by his... Read more

November 28, 2021 News

Young Dolph Shot & Killed In Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee artist Young Dolph was shot and killed in his hometown this afternoon (November 17). The 36-year-old Rap star born Adolph Thornton, Jr. was attacked while inside a Makeda's cookies location, just miles from the South Memphis neighborhood that he represented. Local authorities confirmed the news with FOX 13,... Read more

November 17, 2021 News

Famed Hustler Alpo Martinez Is Fatally Shot & Killed In Harlem

According to numerous sources, notable and controversial street figure Alpo Martinez was fatally shot this morning (October 31) while in his Dodge Ram pickup truck. In a developing story, Martinez, 55 years old, was killed in a drive-by shooting in the same Harlem streets that he occupied throughout the rise... Read more

October 31, 2021 Lifestyle, News

Comedian Anthony “AJ” Johnson Has Passed Away At Age 55

Comedian and actor Anthony "A.J." Johnson has died at 55 years old. Known for his roles in Friday, House Party, I Got The Hook Up, and Menace II Society, Johnson has been reported dead by TMZ. According to the publication, the Compton, California native was found unresponsive earlier this month... Read more

September 20, 2021 News, TV, TV/Film

Actor Michael K. Williams Has Passed Away At Age 54

Michael K. Williams has died. The actor best known for his portrayals of "Omar Little" in The Wire and "Chalky White" in Boardwalk Empire was found unresponsive this afternoon (September 6) in his Brooklyn, New York home. He was 54 years old. The NYPD confirmed the death to Variety. No cause of death has been revealed,... Read more

September 6, 2021 News, TV, TV/Film

Zion I MC Zumbi Has Passed Away At Age 49

Hip-Hop has suffered another loss. Zion I co-founder Zumbi, aka Steve Gaines, has died at age 49 on Friday (August 13). The veteran Oakland, California MC's family confirmed the news yesterday. "It is with utter disbelief and great sadness that the Gaines family shares the news of the passing of... Read more

August 14, 2021 News

Chucky Thompson, Producer Of Hits For Biggie & Nas, Has Passed Away

Legendary Hip-Hop and R&B producer Chucky Thompson has died. Moments ago today (August 10), Young Guru confirmed the news. Thompson worked for over 30 years in music, producing hits including The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Big Poppa," Craig Mack's "Flava In Ya Ear (Remix)," and Nas' "One Mic," along with an extensive... Read more

August 9, 2021 News

Biz Markie Has Passed Away At Age 57

A challenging year for the Hip-Hop community continues to become more tragic. In a breaking news story, Biz Markie has died at the age of 57. The legendary MC, DJ, and producer born Marcel Hall passed away this evening (July 16) after a decade-plus-long bout with type 2 diabetes. TMZ reported... Read more

July 16, 2021 News

Blackalicious MC Gift Of Gab Has Passed Away At Age 50

The year 2021 continues to be one marred by loss for the Hip-Hop community. Timothy J. Parker, perhaps better known as The Gift Of Gab has died at the age of 50. Gab was a co-founding MC of Blackalicious, the Sacramento, California-based crew alongside producer Chief Xcel. Together, Blackalicious was... Read more

June 25, 2021 News

Legendary Hip-Hop Photographer Chi Modu Has Passed Away

One of Hip-Hop's most legendary photographers has died. In a developing story, members of the Hip-Hop community are mourning the passing of Chi Modu, who shot iconic images of Biggie Smalls, Tupac Shakur, Eazy-E, Mobb Deep, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, and LL Cool J, to name a few. Smif-n-Wessun's General... Read more

May 22, 2021 News

Comedian Paul Mooney Has Passed Away At 79

Veteran standup comedian, actor, and writer Paul Mooney has died at the age of 79. Journalist Roland Martin was among those who confirmed the news that the entertainer born Paul Gladney suffered a heart attack in his Oakland, California home. The Daily Mail is among the publications that have reported the story.... Read more

May 19, 2021 News

Former Bad Boy Star Black Rob Has Passed Away

UPDATE: The New York Times has provided additional information surrounding Black Rob's death. In an obituary by Jesus Jiménez and Joe Coscarelli, the newspaper confirmed that the man born Robert Ross was 52 years old. They also reported that he passed at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. Mark Curry, a friend of... Read more

April 17, 2021 News

DMX’s New Album Is Coming This Summer & It’s Filled With Superstars

Last Friday (April 9), family, friends, and millions of Hip-Hop fans mourned the loss of DMX. The 50-year-old rapper born Earl Simmons passed away at age 50. For the previous week, X had been on life support in White Plains, New York hospital, following a cardiac arrest. Decades into a... Read more

April 13, 2021 Video

Will DMX’s Reunion With Def Jam Return Both To Glory?

This month DMX appeared on N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN's Drink Champs for a second time. Since the Hip-Hop show's inception, X has been a top draw for Drink Champs, sitting at the table and giving a real and raw interview to his past collaborator Noreaga back in episode 3. Great conversations with Puff... Read more

February 23, 2021 Audio, Video

Double K Of Hip-Hop Group People Under The Stairs Has Died

Hip-Hop Heads woke up to tragic news on Sunday morning (January 31). Double K, born Michael Turner, of the Los Angeles, California Hip-Hop duo People Under The Stairs, has died. While no cause of death has been made public, it is believed that Turner was 43 years old. P.U.T.S has... Read more

January 31, 2021 News

The LOX Break Down How To Make A Classic Album (Video)

Three weeks ago, The LOX released their fourth album, Living Off Xperience. The D-Block/Roc Nation release includes contributions from DMX, Benny The Butcher, Westside Gunn, Large Professor, T-Pain, Oswin Benjamin, Nottz, Statik Selektah, and their artist, Dyce Payne. Less than a month since its release, the LP from one of... Read more

September 22, 2020 Exclusive, Fresh, Video

Pop Smoke Has Been Shot And Killed During Home Invasion

Twenty-year-old rapper Pop Smoke was reportedly killed this morning (February 19). Per developing reports, the Brooklyn, New York native born Bashar Jackson was fatally shot at a Hollywood Hills, California home that he had been renting. TMZ reports that two men wearing masks and hoodies unlawfully entered the home, an... Read more

February 19, 2020 News

Graffiti Pioneer Phase 2 Has Passed Away

Graffiti pioneer and art legend Phase 2 has passed away. The Bronx, New York native, born Lonny Wood, succumbed to a battle with Lou Gehrig's Disease. A report by HipHopDX claims that Phase 2 had been hospitalized due to complications from ALS since August. Apart from writing and painting, he... Read more

December 13, 2019 News

Oscar-Nominated “Do The Right Thing” Actor Danny Aiello Has Passed Away At Age 86

Last night (December 12), actor Danny Aiello died at the age of 86 in New Jersey. A native New Yorker, Aiello was nominated for an Academy Award for his role of "Sal Fragione" in Spike Lee's 1989 film Do The Right Thing. He also appeared in The Godfather Part II,... Read more

December 13, 2019 News, TV/Film

Snoop Dogg & Tupac Affiliate Bad Azz Has Passed Away At The Age Of 43

Long Beach, California representative Bad Azz has died, according to multiple sources including Snoop Dogg, Daz Dillinger, and Kxng Crooked. The 43-year-old MC born Jamarr Antonio Stamps was heard on albums including Makaveli's Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory, Snoop Dogg Presents Tha Eastsidaz, and Christmas On Death Row. After... Read more

November 12, 2019 News

John Witherspoon Has Passed Away At 77 Years Old

Actor John Witherspoon has died. The 77-year-old's family confirmed the news Tuesday evening (October 29). Affectionately known as "Pops," Witherspoon (who was born "John Weatherspoon") is remembered for his work in the Friday franchise, and roles in The Hollywood Shuffle, I'm Gonna Git You Sucka, House Party, and others. After... Read more

October 30, 2019 News

“Belly” Actor & Dancehall Artist Louie “OX” Rankin Has Passed Away

Details are emerging surrounding the death of actor and musician Louis Rankin. Often known as "Ox," that nickname was also the role for Rankin (born Leonard Ford) in Hype Williams' 1998 film, Belly, starring opposite DMX, Nas, and others. According to TMZ, the Jamaican-born artist died Monday (September 30) in... Read more

October 1, 2019 News