The hip-hop community has suffered a number of losses in its 51 years of existence with dozens of beloved MCs, producers, DJs, breakdancers and graffiti artists passing in the last five decades. Thanks to social media, fans have been able to look back on the lives of their favorite artists even when they’re gone. It’s one of the ways fans hold on to an artist’s legacy and remember them once they die. A final post on Instagram or X, formerly known as Twitter, can serve as a lasting moment in time.
Many artists’ supporters seem to have a strange fixation with those artists’ social media postmortem. In 2022, Takeoff reportedly gained 1 million Instagram followers in just a few days after he was shot and killed in Houston. King Von’s Instagram followers jumped by 500,000 people a few hours after the news came out that he had been killed in Atlanta. He has gained a total of 1.2 million followers since his death. It’s a recurring headline.
While some deceased rappers’ Instagram pages lay dormant, others are taken over by family and the estate who continue to post and update fans on the account. But nothing stands out like that final post uploaded by the artist. They can vary. Some are thought-provoking. Others promote an upcoming event the artist was hoping to attend, while others just show the artist in their element.
Check out several rappers’ final social media posts uploaded shortly before their untimely deaths including XXXTentacion, Nipsey Hussle, Mac Miller and more below.
XXXTentacion
Rich Homie Quan
Nipsey Hussle
Young Dolph
Mac Miller
Takeoff
PnB Rock
Pop Smoke
Juice Wrld
Lil Keed
Big Scarr
DMX
King Von
Lil Peep
Foolio
Trouble
See the Rappers We Lost in 2024
Boss “Deeper” video
Boss
Birthdate: Sept. 12, 1969
Died: March 11, 2024
Cause of Death: Kidney failure
Bo$$, born Lichelle Marie Laws, died on March 11 following a lengthy health battle at the age of 54. She had been suffering from renal disease since 2011 and had been seeking a new kidney. In 2021, she set up a GoFundMe page to help pay her medical bills. In 2017, she unfortunately suffered from a stroke.
Def Jam released a statement about her passing on Instagram. “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Lichelle Marie Laws (Bo$$),” the label’s account captioned a photo of the late rapper. “Bo$$ will be remembered as a pioneer in hip hop, being one of the first female rappers signed to Def Jam in the early 1990’s. We extend our prayers and condolences to her family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
Bo$$ was one of the first female rappers signed to Def Jam Recordings in the early 1990s. She released her debut album, Born Gangstaz, in 1993, which featured her breakout single “Deeper,” which peaked at No. 65 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
“The Finisher” DJ Mister Cee spins at S.O.B.’s on May 21, 2015, in New York City.
DJ Mister Cee
Birthdate: Aug. 17, 1966
Died: April 10, 2024
Cause of Death: Diabetes-related coronary artery and kidney disease.
DJ Mister Cee, a.k.a. The Finisher, died on April 10 following a battle with diabetes-related coronary artery and kidney disease. He was 57.
Cee’s former Hot 97 colleague Peter Rosenberg broke the news on social media. “We have lost the iconic Mister Cee,” Rosenberg wrote. “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.”
DJ Mister Cee, born Calvin Lebrun, was a major figure in New York City hip-hop, having produced and served as a DJ for the likes of The Notorious B.I.G. and Big Daddy Kane. He would later become famous for his Throwback at Noon and Friday Night Live segments on NYC’s Hot 97. He left Hot 97 in 2013 and was DJing at 94.7 The Block at the time of his passing.
Rico Wade speaks onstage during day 3 of REVOLT Summit x AT&T Summit on September 14, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Rico Wade
Birthdate: Feb. 26, 1972
Died: April 13, 2024
Cause of Death: Heart failure.
Organized Noize producer Rico Wade died on April 13 at the age of 52. His cause of death was announced a heart failure.
The family of the influential beatmaker released a statement regarding the producer’s death. “We are deeply saddened by the sudden and unexpected passing of our son, father, husband, and brother Rico Wade. Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of a talented individual who touched the lives of so many. We ask that you respect the legacy of our loved one and our privacy at this time,” the statements read.
Wade was one of the architects of the Atlanta hip-hop sound as a member of the Organized Noize production trio of Sleepy Brown and Ray Murray, and the Dungeon Family collective. Formed in the early 1990s, ON were responsible for discovering acts like OutKast, Goodie Mob and others, and producing smash hits for TLC, En Vogue, Mista and more.
Mark Roth (aka Brother Marquis) from the rap group 2 Live Crew arrive at the 21st Annual Soul Train Music Awards held at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on March 10, 2007 in Pasadena, California.
Brother Marquis of 2 Live Crew
Birthdate: April 2, 1967
Died: June 3, 2024
Cause of Death: Heart attack
2 Live Crew’s Brother Marquis died on June 3 at his home in Gadsden, Al. Details on his death were initially scarce, but it was later revealed he died from a major heart attack with no foul play or drugs being involved. He was 58 years old.
2 Live Crew cofounder Uncle Luke eulogized his late bandmate on social media writing, “My Condolence goes out to the Family of Brother Marquis and so many of his Fans from around the World after learning his passing,” Luke wrote on Instagram. “We took on so many fights for the culture made Great music together something I would never forget.”
As a member of 2 Live Crew, Brother Marquis was responsible for creating the Miami bass movement in South Florida, as well as a monumental court ruling that overturned the ruling that found the group’s 1989 album As Nasty as They Wanna Be legally obscene. Following the breakup and reunion of the group, Brother Marquis continued to release music into the 2010s.
Enchanting
Enchanting
Birthdate: Oct. 9, 1997
Cause of Death: Unknown
Enchanting died on June 11. She was only 26 years old. The Texas rhymer was admitted to hospital’s ICU before succumbing to an undisclosed medical condition the following day.
The former 1017 rapper’s family confirmed the passing in a statement on Instagram. “We are deeply saddened to announce the death of our sweet and beloved daughter,” the post begins. “She was so much to so many but she was our daughter. She lived her life with grace and blessed so many with friendship, laughter and love. We also appreciate everyone’s respect of our family’s privacy as we continue to navigate through this difficult loss.”
Enchanting signed to Gucci Mane’s 1017 label in 2020 and released her debut album, No Luv, on the label in 2022, as well as appearing on 1017 compilations. She parted ways with the label in late 2023. She had recently signed a deal with Change The Game Records and was prepping new music at the time of her passing.
Foolio
Foolio
Birthdate: June 21, 1998
Died: June 23, 2004
Cause of Death: Homicide
Jacksonville, Fla. rapper Foolio was shot and killed in Tampa, Fla. while out celebrating his 26th birthday on June 23. After being kicked out of an Airbnb for being over capacity, Foolio and crew moved the highly publicized party to a Holiday Inn where he was shot along with three other men while sitting in a car at the hotel. Foolio, born Charles Jones, was the only victim who did not survive. The fatal shooting came after Foolio was shot last October. Police are investigating the killing.
“RIP Son,” the rapper’s mother Sandrikas Mays wrote on Instagram. “Charles Jones II ‘Foolio’ The ‘Real’ Life Story Documentary Coming Soon.”
Foolio was one of the rising artists in Jacksoville’s hip-hop scene with songs including “Ain’t I,” “List of Dead Opps,” “Handle Business” and more. His most viral record, “When I See You,” released in 2021, saw the rapper viciously taunting his opps. Prior to his death, he had received cosigns from Young Thug and others.
UNSPECIFIED – CIRCA 1989: Photo of Kool G. Rap
DJ Polo
Birthdate: April 20, 1969
Died: July 27, 2024
Cause of Death: Unknown
DJ Polo passed away unexpectedly at the age of 63 on July 27, with no cause of death being revealed. The legendary DJ, who was one half of the iconic Kool G Rap, was mourned by his Juice Crew counterpart on Instagram.
“R.I.P. to a dear friend and a Brother from another Household He is a Legend to Hip Hop and Juice Crew history DJ Polo!” Kool G wrote. “May Light from the Highest be upon him.”
DJ Polo emerged with Kool G on the 1986 track “It’s a Demo.” From that point on, the two men became an established musical duo and released four albums together. These LPs were 1989’s Road to the Riches, Wanted: Dead or Alive in 1990, 1992’s Live and Let Die and 1996’s Rated XXX.
Actor Chino XL arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of Anchor Bay Entertainment’s “Stan Helsing” on October 20, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.
Chino XL
Birthdate: April 8, 1974
Died: July 28, 2024
Cause of Death: Unknown
On July 28, New Jersey-bred rapper Chino XL passed away in his home at the age of 50. No cause of death has been announced yet, but the family released an official statement confirming Chino’s passing via his Instagram account.
“The family of Derek Keith Barbosa, professionally known as Chino XL, is devastated to relay the news of his passing. Chino died on the morning of Sunday, July 28, 2024 at home. He was 50,” the statement reads. “Chino is survived by his children, Chynna, Bella, Lyric, Kiyana; his stepson Shawn; grandchildren Emmy, Emery, Chris, Luis, and Dyani; his mother, Carole; and his former longtime partner Stephanie.”
Chino XL rose to prominence in the mid-1990s after releasing his debut album Here to Save You All in 1996. He would go on to drop three more solo studio albums; I Told You So (2001), Poison Pen (2006) and Ricanstruction: The Black Rosary (2012).
Beat King
BeatKing
Birthdate: Nov. 24, 1984
Died: Aug. 15, 2024
Cause of Death: Pulmonary embolism.
BeatKing passed away at the age of 39 on Aug. 15, 2024. The Houston rapper-producer’s death was announced by his manager Tasha Felder via a statement on Instagram.
“Today, August 15, 2024 we have lost @clubgodzilla,” she wrote in a post. “BeatKing has been the best part of the club for over a decade. 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.”
According to TMZ, BeatKing fainted while doing a radio show. He was rushed to the hospital where he succumbed to a pulmonary embolism.
BeatKing made a name in the Houston hip-hop scene in the early 2010s by dropping a slew of club-based mixtapes and albums including King of the Club, Club God 3, Gangsta Stripper Music, Astroworld, Twerk It for Vine. A certified party starter with his raunchy anthems, BeatKing worked with the likes of 2 Chainz, Paul Wall, Slim Thug, Juicy J, Ludacris, Project Pat and many others over the years while dropping new projects on a consistant basis. He released his most recent album She Won’t Leave Houston in July of 2023.
Fatman Scoop hosts Fridayz Live ’23 at Rod Laver Arena on November 10, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia.
Fatman Scoop
Birthdate: Aug. 6, 1971
Died: Aug. 30, 2024
Cause of Death: Unknown
Fatman Scoop died on Aug. 30 after he collapsed on stage during his performance at Hamden Town Center Park, in Hamden, Connecticut. He was 53.
Scoop’s touring manager, DJ and producer Birch Michael (aka Pure Cold), confirmed the sad news on his Instagram account.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts I announce the passing of [Isaac] Freeman III, professionally known as Fatman Scoop,” he wrote. “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.”
“Thank you so much, I love you x,” he concluded.
Fatman Scoop, born Isaac Freeman III, was, arguably, the voice of New York City hip-hop. A beloved radio personality on New York’s Hot 97 for many years, Scoop will be remembered for his boisterous call and responses like “Put your hands up” and “Let’s go” on classic rap hits like Missy Elliott’s “Lose Control,” Ciara’s “Level Up (Remix),” Timbaland & Magoo’s “Drop,” Tech N9ne’s “No Popcorn,” and many others.
But Fatman Scoop rose to fame in the early 2000s with his own club bangers like “Be Faithful,” featuring the Crooklyn Clan, and “Freak Show” featuring Rico Davis, which became mainstays in the clubs throughout the millennium. Before his death, Scoop dropped two new singles: “Let It Go,” featuring Dyce Payso, and “Our House,” with Dutch electronic act Bingo Players and American production duo Disco Fries.
Rich Homie Quan performs onstage at The Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre on September 01, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan.
Rich Homie Quan
Birthdate: Oct. 4, 1989
Died: Sept. 5, 2024
Cause of Death: Unknown
Rich Homie Quan passed away in his Atlanta home at the age of 34 on Sept. 5. His peers like Jacquees and Boosie BadAzz began sharing the news online before Quan’s death was officially confirmed. Boosie claimed Quan died of an overdose, though this has not been confirmed.
Rich Homie Quan became a sought-after Atlanta artist starting around 2013, with his song “Differences.” After touring with Trinidad James and appearing on Gucci Mane’s Trap House III, Rich Homie Quan’s single “Type of Way” officially kickstarted his budding career in 2013. He was hailed as one of Atlanta’s rising stars alongside Future, Young Thug and others.
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