Its been a while since I've done anything productive here, so out of boredom I decided to make a list of MY top 10 diseased rappers. A number of rappers came up in the rap game and lost their life before their due for different reasons. Below the listed rappers I'll give a mini description about the rapper and why he made the list.
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1970-2004. Mac Dre was a popular west coast rapper that worked with a number of fellow west coast rappers and helped fuel the Bay area hyphy scene. It took me a while to get into Mac Dre, but after further inspection/listening he definitely proved himself as a west coast talent who's presence in hip-hop will be missed. Mac Dre was shot and killed in traffic in Missouri.
9. J Dilla
1974-2006. Dilla a.k.a. Jay Dee is world renowned as one of the best producers of all-time, but he also released a few albums that he emcees (check out Ruff Draft and Welcome to Detroit). I felt the need to pay homage to Dilla even though this is not a producer list. He passed away in 2006 of a rare blood disease and lupus.
8. Proof (of D-12)
1973-2006. Proof was an essential part of Detroit hip-hop group D-12 and personal friend of Eminem. Rapper The Game speaks highly of Proof in many songs. In my eyes Proof was extremely underrated, probably because he was a member of D-12, which I'm sure a lot you guys would not admit to liking or listening to (I am the same). Regardless, he made the list. Proof died in 2006 after he was shot in the head immediately after he himself shot a man during an altercation at a bar.
7. Grym Reaper/Too Poetic (of Gravediggaz)
1964-2001. I came to know Reaper through horror-core hip-hop group Gravediggaz (which included Wu-Tang's RZA). If you want to listen to some classic material pick up "6 Feet Deep" by Gravediggaz and enjoy. Reaper died in 2001 of cancer.
6. Ol' Dirty Bastard (of Wu-Tang Clan)
1968 - 2004. The list starts to get a little more unanimous. ODB proved successful in both his careers with the Wu-Tang Clan and in his solo work. His unique style and humor was the catalyst to his success. ODB lived a less glamorous personal life involving legal troubles over attempted murders, drug use, and yes, living off food stamps. ODB died in 2004 after he collapsed in the studio. The autopsy showed that Russell Jones died of an accidental drug overdose.
"Wu-Tang is for the children". -ODB
5. Eazy-E
1963-1995. Gangsta rap at its finest. West coast power-house Eric Wright a.k.a. Eazy-E was most commonly known for creating popular late 80's early 90's hip-hop group N.W.A. and partaking in a popular feud with Dr. Dre and Ice Cube after N.W.A's demise. Eazy died in 1995 after he was diagnosed with AIDS. Before his death the feud with Dre and Ice Cube was resolved.
4. Big Pun
1971-2000. Big Punisher was a Bronx based rapper and close friend of Fat Joe. His first studio album titled "Capital Punishment" is nothing short of spectacular and displays Pun's great lyrical ability with a classic East coast feel. Pun was also a part of Terror Squad. He died of a heart attack due to a life long struggle with obesity. He apparently weighed in at over 700 pounds at his death.
3. Tupac
1971-1996. Pretty much an essential to any top 10 list, Tupac was nothing short of talented and influential to hip-hop. He was born in New York City and spent the earlier years of his life there. California love began in 1988 for Pac when he took poetry classes and took rapping to a more serious level. If you have ever heard anyone say "Thug Life" it is because of Tupac. He went on to befriend the Notorious B.I.G. only to feud with him in the years to come. He was shot and killed in Las Vegas while driving with Death Row founder Suge Knight.
2. Big L
1974-2001. One of the best to ever do it. Big L's lyrical ability was practically unmatched during his time. He had the ability to freestyle consistently and use tricky metaphors. Don't believe me? Check out some of his freestyles on YouTube or pick up one of his two albums "Lifestyles of the Poor and Dangerous" or "The Big Picture". The Harlem based rapper was murdered in 2001 by a group of men that were after L's brother. The group either mistook his for his brother or murdered Big L as payback. Big L rest in peace.
1. The Notorious B.I.G.
1972-1997. Surprise! I'm trying my hardest to not be cliche, but Christopher Wallace was the best to ever do it. Dead or alive. His first two albums "Ready to Die" and "Life After Death" are nothing short of amazing. He is easily one of the most sampled, remixed and re-used rappers that gets the most tributes. There is a good reason for it. Biggie was fatally shot in Los Angeles, the rumor is that he was killed by a member of the Crips as a retaliation for not paying them protection money.
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There you have it - my top 10 dead rappers. Some obvious ones, some not-so-obvious. I could have went on with longer descriptions, but if you really care that much just research some of these rappers and educate yourself.
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