10 Hip-Hop Artists Who Suddenly Passed Away In 2021 Under Age 60. Photo: DMX performs at Revolution Live on April 10, 2019 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Credit: mpi04/MediaPunch /IPX
Why do so many hip-hop artists die young?
U.S. hip-hop artists are murdered more than artists in any other musical genre, according to Dianna Theadora Kenny, a professor of psychology and music at the University of Sydney. Kenny took a look at the deaths of musical artists in the U.S. and found out that more than half the hip-hop musicians in her 2015 study sample were murdered.
Multiple iconic and revered hip-hop artists passed way suddenly in 2021 before their time, most of them, less than 60 years old — much younger than the U.S. life expectancy of 77.3 years.
Previous studies have looked at why rappers die so young. Some, like Tupac, Notorious B.I.G. and Smokepurpp, engaged in their own mortality lyrics that talked of their own death.
The second most common cause of death in rappers is traffic accidents followed by complications from diseases.
In 2021 so far, hip-hop has lost at least 10 rappers. The cause of death included drug overdoses, diseases, shootings and suicide. Here are 10 hip-hop artists who suddenly passed away in 2021 under age 60.
These deaths have happened even as the coronavirus pandemic brought to close many major music festivals.
Here is a long list of Hip-Hop artists who died suddenly in 2021:
DMX’s sudden death on April 9 2021 shocked many. He was 50 when he died of a heart attack caused by a drug overdose. His real name was Earl Simmons, and he was known for his gravel voice and fiery rap anthems. He starred in action films “Romeo Must Die” and “Cradle 2 the Grave.”
DMX ruled in the late ’90s and early 2000s with hits such as “Party Up” and “Get at Me Dog.” Supporters rallied behind him in support after he went public with his struggles with drug abuse.
He made history as the first rapper to have his first five albums hit No.1 on the Billboard 200. His music career later slowed down.
Shock G was born in New York and his real name was Gregory Jacobs. He was a hip-hop pioneer widely credited with giving rap superstar Tupac Shakur his career break.
Shock G later became famous for the digital underground earworm “The Humpty Dance” and Tupac collaborations such as the 1993 single “I Get Around.”
He died at the age of 56, reportedly from an accidental drug overdose.
Biz Markie, whose real name is Theo Hall, was best known for the 1989 song “Just a Friend,” and his charismatic stage presence and playful lyrics. He earned the title “clown of hip-hop” with his classic 1988 debut album, “Goin’ Off.”
He passed away in Baltimore hospital with his wife by his side on July 16 after diabetes complications. He was 57.
Harlem rapper Black Rob (real name, Robert Ross) died on April 17 at age 52. He is best known for his 2000 hits “Whoa” and “Can I Live“ for Bad Boy records.
He admitted to health struggles over the years. However, his comments were often overlooked by the public and the media. Most people realized he was ill when he recorded a video tribute to DMX from a hospital bed.
He died of cardiac arrest at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, according to the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s office.
The Dallas star Lil Loaded, whose real name was Dashawn Robertson, came into the limelight with his 2019 song “6locc 6a6y,” which has more than 25 million plays on YouTube and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.
He took his own life on June 1 at the age of 20 and his death was reported by his lawyer, Ashkan Mehryari to Newsbeat.
“The kid was on a great path. He was struggling with some things we wish we would’ve known about, wish we could’ve intervened,” said businessman Stanley Gabart.
Rapper Corey Detiege performed under the stage name Chucky Trill. He passed away on March 6 at a hospital in the metro Atlanta area, shot and killed at the age of 33. He died in one of three shootings reported on I-80 in Atlanta in a two-day period in March, police in suburban Gwinnett County reported.
Chucky Trill was best known for songs such as “Streets Don’t Love A Soul” (2018) and collaborations with artists includingnTexas legend Lil’ Keke and Dallas rapper Trapboy Freddy.
Baby CEO, a controversial rapper from Memphis (real name, Jonathan Brown) died at a shooting in Frayser, Tennessee at the age of 20. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
He first made headlines with a “disturbing video” focused on guns, drugs, dreams of fame and money at the tender age of 14.
His death came three years after the passing of rapper Fredo Santana. Baby CEO was Santana’s protégé and was signed with Santana when he started working with Savage Squad Records.
Prince Markie Dee, a member of the pioneering hip-hop group The Fat Boys, died on Feb. 18 in Miami at age 52. The cause of his death was congestive heart failure. His death was confirmed by the group’s manager, Louis Gregory.
Born Mark Anthony Morales in 1968, he teamed up with Darren Robinson (the Human Beatbox) and Damon Wembley (Kool Rock Ski). They performed under the name The Disco 3 before later becoming The Fat Boys.
Double K, one-half of the Los Angeles rap duo People Under the Stairs, died in his home on Jan. 30, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. He was 43.
Born Michael Turner, Double K and cohort Thes One (real name Christopher Portugal) formed People Under the Stairs in 1997 as high schoolers. Both had already been producing music in high school when they linked.
South Carolina rapper 18veno was shot and killed on Jan. 23, and pronounced dead at the Piedmont Medical Center in Rock Hill. He was 19 years old at the time of his death and had just started to see success thanks to his 2020 debut, “R4z EP” and album “Pablo.”
Born Paul Harts, 18veno grew up in Winnsboro, South Carolina after spending the first few years of his life in Washington, D.C.
18veno was inspired by the sounds of Southern trap. He cited rappers including Gucci Mane, Yo Gotti, and Jeezy as early influences. He started rapping in fourth grade and began posting his work publicly a few years later.
Listen to GHOGH with Jamarlin Martin | Episode 74: Jamarlin Martin Jamarlin returns for a new season of the GHOGH podcast to discuss Bitcoin, bubbles, and Biden. He talks about the risk factors for Bitcoin as an investment asset including origin risk, speculative market structure, regulatory, and environment. Are broader financial markets in a massive speculative bubble?
