In 2023, Hip Hop tradition celebrated a big milestone: 50 years since its genesis at a back-to-school jam hosted by the enduring DJ Kool Herc at 1520 Sedgwick & Cedar within the Bronx. However whereas the 12 months was marked by triumphs, it was, as is commonly the case, marked by some tragedies too.
As Hip Hop continues to evolve, the lack of influential figures stays an inevitable, but all the time tough, actuality for followers to confront. That is notably true when such losses are startlingly premature. Whereas we rejoice the perfect of the 12 months with our Hip Hop Awards 2023, yearly we take a step again to memorialize the lives of those that made an impression on music tradition however are not with us to rejoice.
From golden period legends and new college upstarts to musical icons who formed the tradition lengthy earlier than it grew to become a world phenomenon, HipHopDX takes a reflective look again at these we misplaced this 12 months.
Trugoy The Dove (De La Soul)
Hip Hop purists had been rocked by the dying of De La Soul member Dave Jolicoeur, higher often called Trugoy The Dove, who handed away on February 12, 2023.
The legendary MC had been affected by congestive coronary heart failure for years. The best tragedy of all, although, is that the 54-year-old MC by no means obtained to completely bask within the glory of his groundbreaking group’s catalog lastly being made accessible on streaming platforms.
The battle to achieve management of their music was a protracted and irritating one which, in essence, prevented the seminal group — extensively thought-about a milestone in various Hip Hop — from correctly carrying their legacy over into the modern digital panorama. In an age of algorithmic discovery, that is akin to being erased.
The silver lining is that with De La Soul’s full discography lastly freely accessible to stream, Dave’s contributions to the tradition can now be totally absorbed by an entire new technology of listeners on the lookout for contemporary air.
Magoo
Virginia MC Melvin “Magoo” Barcliff handed away on August 13, 2023, because of cardiac arrest. The late rapper performed Robin to Timbaland‘s Batman; their musical historical past dates again to their teenage years, later becoming a member of DeVante Swing‘s Swing Mob, alongside acts like Missy Elliott (and her then group Sista), Ginuwine and others.
It was post-Swing Mob that the duo, formally billed as Timbaland & Magoo, launched their platinum-selling debut LP Welcome to Our World, giving the world their first style of the VA native’s insanely distinct cadence.
Very like De La Soul, the group’s legacy (as a duo) was largely hampered by politics with their label Blackground Data, owned by the late Aaliyah‘s uncle, which stored their catalog off streaming providers.
In contrast to Aaliyah, who was a famous person, and Timbaland, who stays an inimitable pillar, Magoo’s model was tied to the duo’s three albums. Nonetheless, the group’s music did finally get a grand digital re-release in August of 2021.
Gangsta Boo
2023 began on a sombre word with the sudden January 1 lack of Lola “Gangsta Boo” Mitchell who died of an unintended overdose in her mom’s Memphis residence.
The pioneering feminine MC first rose to fame as a member of southern horrorcore legends Three 6 Mafia, having been found by DJ Paul on the age of 14. She was a fixture within the group earlier than leaving in 2001.
As a solo act, her profession took off in 1998 when her debut LP Enquiring Minds peaked at no. 46 on the Billboard 200, due partially to her signature hit “The place Dem Dollas At!?” Most lately, she joined GloRilla on Latto’s “FTCU” and had been engaged on a model new LP that was set to be titled The BooPrint. She was 43 on the time of her dying.
Massive Pokey
Milton “Massive Pokey” Powell — an authentic member of the late DJ Screw’s Screwed Up Click on — was pronounced useless in a Texas hospital on Sunday, June 18, 2023, hours after he collapsed from a coronary heart assault whereas acting at a neighborhood bar.
Together with his distinctive model, Pokey helped carry the chopped-and-screwed motion to nationwide acclaim and, till the day he died, was thought-about a legend within the Houston rap scene. His dying even garnered a tweet from the mayor, who famous that “he was any individual [who] obtained an entire neighborhood that loves him.”
Pokey had been lively for the higher a part of the previous 20 years, amassing an enormous solo discography. Although he hit his first business apex in 2005 with a characteristic on Paul Wall’s hit single “Sittin’ Sidewayz.”
Most lately, Pokey rapped alongside Megan Thee Stallion on “Southside Royalty Freestyle,” from Meg’s sophomore LP Tramazine. He was 48 on the time of his dying.
The 45 King
Mark the 45 King, a legendary producer accountable for serving to catapult the profession of Queen Latifah, handed away on October 19, 2023; whereas no reason behind dying was instantly accessible, a report famous that he had been within the hospital the week main as much as his dying.
His profession might rightfully be referred to as a rollercoaster; the genesis of his notoriety was the discharge of “The 900 Quantity,” which stands as one of many biggest breakbeats in Hip Hop historical past. Whereas the discharge and success of 1989’s All Hail the Queen (Latifah’s debut) could have helped him earn a profitable manufacturing take care of Warner Bros. Data, a drug habit finally noticed him lose it. Nonetheless, that wasn’t the top of his story.
Mark’s legacy was solidified on a wider scale when he produced JAY-Z‘s “Exhausting Knock Life,” a tune that pushed Jay into a brand new stratosphere; his most culturally important contribution being “Stan,”Eminem‘s 4x platinum (within the US alone) transcending single.
He was 62 years outdated on the time of his dying.
C-Knight (Dove Shack)
Member of the Lengthy Seaside group Dove Shack, Arnez Blount, higher often called C-Knight, handed away on November 7, 2023, weeks after struggling a stroke whereas receiving dialysis to deal with his diabetes, then going into cardiac arrest and later being resuscitated and positioned on life assist.
C-Knight first rose to fame in 1995 alongside fellow Dove Shack MCs Bo-Roc and 2Scoops, showing on Warren G‘s 3×platinum debut Regulate… G Funk Period. The group later launched their debut, This Is the Shack, which spawned the group’s most well-known single, “Summertime within the LBC,” which peaked at No. 54 on the Billboard Sizzling 100.
C-Knight was 52 on the time of his passing.
DJ Casper
William Perry Jr., professionally often called DJ Casper (or Mr. C the Slide Man), died following a protracted battle with kidney and liver most cancers on August 7, 2023 on the age of 58.
He had beforehand famous in an interview in 2019 that he had (at that time) crushed the most cancers. His legacy although will reside on without end by way of the cross-generational cult basic “Casper Slide Pt. 1” — extra extensively often called the enduring get together staple “Cha Cha Slide.”
The tune was first crafted for Casper’s nephew, who was a private coach at Bally Whole Health; from grass-roots beginnings, the tune grew large legs, finally being picked up by Common.
Younger Capone
Former Jermaine Dupri protégé, Younger Capone (aka DopeBoy Ra) reportedly handed away on August 15 — days after he was stated to have been reported lacking in Chicago. The “What It Iz” rapper, signed to So So Def, launched initiatives resembling Look Who’s Speaking (2010) and Paper and Politics (2011).
Previous to connecting with Dupri, Ra first made noise working with legendary MC/producer Daz Dillinger. He additionally collaborated with T.I.‘s Grand Hustle, showing on the imprint’s 2017 compilation We Need Smoke. Capone’s closing launch, SlumMade 2.0, was launched in December 2022. He was 35 years outdated on the time of his dying.
Chico Del Vec (Junior M.A.F.I.A.)
On August 14, 2023, Hip Hop legend Particular Ed introduced through Instagram that Chico Del Vec — a member of the Junior M.A.F.I.A. — had handed away.
Whereas removed from one of many M.A.F.I.A.’s most notable members, his roots and affect inside the group was simple; in a memorium on Instagram, groupmate Lil Stop referred to the late Brooklynite as a legend, noting that he was the one who finally impressed The Infamous B.I.G. to get off the stoop and discover a option to transcend the ills of Fulton St.
Del Vec’s legacy lives on by way of his contributions, most famously on the group’s 1995 debut LP Conspiracy, which peaked at No. 8 on Billboard’s Sizzling 200.
Amp Fiddler
Acclaimed Detroit musician Joseph “Amp” Fiddler, a one-time mentor to the late J Dilla — having launched the producer to the revolutionary Akai MPC60 and famously related him to Q-Tip — handed away on December 17, 2023, on the age of 65.
All through his profession, Amp launched eight full-length initiatives and labored with inimitable icons like George Clinton, serving as a member of Parliament-Funkadelic from 1985 till 1996, and the late Prince.
Amp had been affected by an undisclosed well being subject main as much as a surgical procedure in 2022; at the moment, a GoFundMe was set as much as assist him cowl medical bills. His street to restoration had been a protracted one, and a fundraiser (once more, to assist cowl medical bills) occurred in his hometown of Detroit simply seven days previous to his dying.
Bobby Caldwell
Bobby Caldwell, recognized for his basic R&B hit “What You Gained’t Do for Love,” handed away on the age of 71 on March 14, 2023.
Getting his begin enjoying guitar for the late Little Richard within the Seventies, his profession took off after he launched his eponymous debut, which offered over two million copies within the US. Spanning R&B, soul, jazz, and grownup modern, the singer-songwriter and musician dropped 16 subsequent albums, his closing being 2015’s Cool Uncle. To not point out, he wrote songs for artists like Natalie Cole, Al Jarreau, and Roberta Flack.
Inside Hip Hop tradition, Caldwell’s catalog grew to become a treasure trove for samples, with 2Pac (“Do For Love”), The Infamous B.I.G. (“Sky’s the Restrict”), Widespread (“The Mild”) all borrowing from him.
Based on stories, he died peacefully in his residence in Nice Meadows, New Jersey, within the arms of his spouse, Mary Caldwell.
Harry Belafonte
“Day-O” singer Harry Belafonte, a legendary musician and activist, handed away on August 25, 2023.
As an artist, he launched 30 studio albums and eight reside albums and achieved large important and business success. Although his profession was largely earmarked by his activism, the one-time confidant of Martin Luther King Jr. was notorious for utilizing his fortune and notoriety as a platform for social change. It’s one thing he as soon as criticized JAY-Z and Beyoncé for not doing almost sufficient.
Harry was additionally an early proponent of Hip Hop tradition, producing the movie Beat Road which, alongside Wild Type, is extensively credited with serving to introduce the tradition to a wider viewers globally.
His affect and impression are legendary and, frankly, unattainable to completely encapsulate in such a small area.
Tina Turner
Born Anna Mae Bullock, Tina Turner handed away on Could 24, 2023, in her residence in Küsnacht, Switzerland, following years of sickness. Referred to as the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll, her journey in music began in 1956 together with her late husband Ike Turner‘s Kings of Rhythm, finally rising to fame as a duo, Ike & Tina Turner.
After a tumultuous relationship with Ike (which is placing it flippantly), she soared in her solo profession in the course of the ’80s. Her groundbreaking hit, “What’s Love Bought to Do with It,” not solely grew to become a world anthem but additionally marked her because the oldest feminine solo artist to hit No.1 on the Billboard Sizzling 100 on the age of 44.
With over 100 million information offered throughout the globe and a set of 12 Grammy Awards, Tina Turner was a real musical power beloved and sampled by the likes of Beyoncé, Fats Joe, Infantile Gambino and extra.
The singer gracefully bowed out of the highlight in 2009, celebrating her illustrious 50-year profession with a farewell tour. On the time of her dying, the singer was 83 years outdated.
Rudolph Isley
Rudolph “Rudy” Bernard Isley, a founding member of the extremely influential R&B group the Isley Brothers, famend for being extensively sampled for a few of Hip Hop’s largest anthems (and inducted into the Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame in 1992), sadly handed away on October 11, 2023, after succumbing to a coronary heart assault. He was 84 years outdated.
Alongside along with his group, Rudy shot to stardom with hits resembling “Twist and Shout” and the Motown favourite “This Previous Coronary heart of Mine (Is Weak for You).” Within the Nineteen Sixties, the brothers established T-Neck Data and achieved appreciable success with the Grammy-winning smash “It’s Your Factor” in 1969.
Following the passing of his brother Kelly in 1986, Rudy determined to go away the music trade in 1989, selecting to dedicate his life to Christian ministry.
George Brown (Kool & The Gang)
George Brown, drummer for the legendary Kool & The Gang, handed away after a hard-fought battle with lung most cancers on November 16, 2023.
Brown stored rhythmic time for a bunch that created a few of the most memorable pop songs of the Seventies. Kool & the Gang’s impression on Hip Hop was immense, with their groovy, soulful rhythms and catchy hooks inspiring a technology of producers to pattern their work — prominently, for artists like JAY-Z, Madonna, Nas, N.W.A., Janet Jackson, Beastie Boys, De La Soul, and A Tribe Known as Quest. Whosampled notes near 2000 songs which have sampled the group.
Nicknamed “Funky,” George Brown was one of many longest-serving members of Kool & The Gang alongside the group’s chief Robert “Kool” Bell; in truth, simply months earlier than his dying, he produced the whole thing of the group’s twenty sixth studio album Individuals Simply Wanna Have Enjoyable. Brown was 74.
Paul Costict (B-Rock And The Bizz)
Rapper and producer Paul Costict, professionally often called B-Rock from the ’90s group B-Rock And The Bizz, handed away in his Norfolk, Virginia, residence on October 23, 2023. His dying was sudden, nonetheless, as quite a few retailers had reported, he had been sick — although in comparatively good spirits.
B-Rock And The Bizz’s lone profitable hit, “My Child Daddy,” which peaked at No. 10 on Billboard’s Sizzling 100 again in April of 1997, finally secured the group Gold certification from RIAA. Regardless of the success, the group confronted drama with their label whereas making their debut album Porkin’ Beans & Wienes, their solely collective effort.
Maybe essentially the most maddening losses for respective fan bases are those who occur lengthy earlier than their time — typically simply as an artist was starting to see the fruit of their labor. Under are a few of the shiny careers stateside and abroad that had been tragically lower brief in 2023.
Lil Sodi
As introduced by rapper Afroman, Madsodi “Lil Sodi” Simpson handed away on August 4, 2023, after being concerned in a deadly automotive accident. The LA rapper had simply — 24 hours earlier — launched what would turn into his closing challenge, Too Good for Hell, Too Dangerous for Heaven. The rapper leaves behind a nine-year-old son, Ja’Zay.
350Heem
Florida MC 350Heem was pronounced useless after being shot exterior of a Lakeland, Florida lounge the place he was celebrating the discharge of what would finally be his closing non-posthumous mixtape, Taking Possibilities 3. The taking pictures occurred within the early morning of July 29; Heem was simply 25 years outdated.
Oladips
Nigerian MC Oladips, who first rose to prominence by profitable the Nigerian music competitors The King Is Right here, succumbed to what his crew described as years of “private battles,” and his passing was introduced through social media on Tuesday, November 16, 2023. Sadly, the announcement of his dying got here simply days earlier than the discharge of his first posthumous launch Superhero Adugbo (The Memoir).
AKA
South African “Lemons (Lemonade)” MC, AKA (actual identify Kiernan Forbes), and a detailed good friend had been shot and killed on February 10, 2023, exterior of a preferred restaurant within the coastal metropolis of Durban. Reviews indicated that the rapper’s bodyguard was additionally shot, although not fatally.
August 08
Def Jam affiliated singer-songwriter August 08 — recognized for penning hits with the likes of Justin Bieber, DJ Khaled, Quavo, and Probability The Rapper — handed away on August 29, 2023, on the age of 31. An early member of the famed 88 Rising artist collective, his closing launch was 2022’s Seasick.
Sirtanky
Rising L.A. rapper Sirtanky‘s physique was found on July 31, 2023, within a metallic barrel that washed up on the shore of Malibu Lagoon State Seaside, California. The 55-gallon container was first found by a lifeguard who introduced it to shore and opened it as a result of its weight was “suspicious” to him.
Lefty SM
Mexican MC Lefty SM was shot and killed, as confirmed by his document label, on September 3, 2023. Lefty had been on a protracted overdue incline; in truth, simply days earlier, he had set the stage on hearth at a sold-out present. His profession had begun to take off after his YouTube channel went viral again in 2017.
On line casino Jizzle
Thought-about subsequent up on the Tennessee Hip Hop scene by many, On line casino Jizzle was tragically shot in northeast Memphis, as confirmed by his supervisor on July 4, and subsequently pronounced useless on the scene. Sadly, he was simply beginning to acquire traction, with over 10 million streams on Apple Music, and 46 million views on YouTube.
Coca-Kazi
Arkansas MC Coca-Kazi was killed in a stand-off with North Little Rock Police. Based on the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, NLRPD arrived at a residence on the 4700 block of North Locust Road in North Little Rock round 2:00 a.m. native time on January 18, 2023, after receiving a name of a disturbance.
Costa Titch
South African spitter Costa Titch, signed with Akon’s document label Konvict Kulture, was pronounced useless on March 11, 2023, after collapsing on stage in the course of the Extremely Music Competition in Johannesburg, South Africa. After being helped up by fellow background dancers, Costa fell once more and was instantly carried offstage.
MohBad
Acclaimed Nigerian rapper, “KPK (Ko Por Ke)” MC MohBad, died in Lagos on September 12, 2023, after a Tetanus vaccine administered to him was discovered to be administered by an unlicensed nurse, who was arrested on September 19, 2023, by the Lagos State Police Command. He was 27 on the time of his dying.
To recollect these we misplaced from earlier years, listed here are our previous articles:
Art work & Graphic Design by JR Martinez.
