Jump directly to the content
MUSIC TRAGEDIES

How many rappers have died in 2021?

THROUGHOUT 2021, multiple rappers have lost their lives from either disease or violence.

The most recent losses were Kangol Kid and Drakeo the Ruler, they both lost their lives on Saturday, December 18, 2021 to two separate events and different causes.

By December of 2021, a total of 20 rappers have died and their deaths made several headlines in the media
12
By December of 2021, a total of 20 rappers have died and their deaths made several headlines in the mediaCredit: Getty

How many rappers have died in 2021?

So far in 2021, 20 rappers have died.

Those rappers include:

Baby Ceo

Baby Ceo passed away on January 20, 2021
12
Baby Ceo passed away on January 20, 2021Credit: Instagram

Baby Ceo, whose real name was Jonathan Brown, tragically lost his life on January 20, 2021 following a shooting.

The rapper was only 20-years-old at the time and had rose to fame as a teenager after taking to social media and posting songs about his violent lifestyle sprinkled with images of drugs and guns.

Prince Markie Dee

Prince Markie Dee passed away on February 18, 2021
12
Prince Markie Dee passed away on February 18, 2021Credit: Getty Images - Getty

Brooklyn native Mark Anthony Morales, who famously went by the stage name Prince Markie Dee, was known as an American rapper, songwriter, producer, actor, and radio personality.

He tragically passed away in February 2021, one day before his 53rd birthday, after suffering from congestive heart failure.

DMX

DMX passed away on April 9, 2021
12
DMX passed away on April 9, 2021Credit: Reuters

One of the biggest losses of 2021 was Earl Simmons, who famously went by the stage name DMX.

The rapper passed away at the age of 50 on April 9, 2021, in White Plains, New York, following a cocaine-induced heart attack.

DMX had begun rapping in the early 1990s and released his debut album, It's Dark and Hell Is Hot, in 1998 which sold more than 250,000 copies within its first week.

Black Rob

Black Rob passed away on April 17, 2021
12
Black Rob passed away on April 17, 2021Credit: Getty Images - Getty

Bad Boy Records artists Robert Ross, who famously went by the stage name Black Rob, passed away on April 17, 2021 after suffering cardiac arrest.

He was famously known for the 2000 hit song Whoa!

Lil Loaded

Dashawn Maurice Robertson, aka Lil Loaded, passed away on Monday, May 31 at the age of 20.

 confirmed that Lil Loaded, was found by a family member with an apparent gunshot wound to the head.

The motive has not yet been confirmed, however, Loaded's friend claimed that he took his own life after having relationship problems.

Shock G

Shock G, also known as Humpty Hump, was part of the 1980s hip-hop group Digital Underground.

Shock G died on Thursday, April 22, from an accidental fentanyl and alcohol overdose. He was 57-years-old.

On Thursday, April 22, Chopmaster J aka big Brutha, a friend of the rapper, announced Shock G was dead.

He wrote in the caption: "34 years ago almost to the day we had a wild idea we can be a hip hop band and take on the world through it all the dream became a reality and the reality became a nightmare for some.

"And now he’s awaken from the fame long live shock G Aka Humpty Hump and Rest In Peace my Brotha Greg Jacobs!!!"

Indian Red Boy

Indian Red Boy – 21-year-old Zerail Dijon Rivera – was shot in the head three times as he sat behind the wheel of his car, according to reports.

On Tuesday, July 17, 2021, someone on Instagram claimed Indian Red Boy was shot because of girl drama and because he switched gangs, according to .

The artist was shot in the head three times while he was online speaking to fellow social media influencer Kapone in the city of Hawthorne.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department said the rapper was already dead when they arrived at the crime scene.

KTS Dre

Londre Sylvester, known by his stage name KTS Dre, was a little known rapper based in Chicago.

His name hit the headlines on July 13, 2021, after he was killed in an incident that police described as an ambush.

KTS Dre was reportedly shot dead as he was released from jail on Saturday, July 10, 2021.

The rapper suffered as many as 64 bullet wounds to his head and other parts of his body.

The rapper was quickly rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital where he was pronounced dead on July 13.

Chucky Thompson

Chucky died on August 9, 2021, after a reported battle with Covid-19.

His publicist, Tamar Juda, told : "It is with a very heavy heart that I can confirm the passing of Chucky Thompson.

"To anyone in his orbit, you know how generous he was with his energy, creativity and love. Both the music industry and the world has lost a titan."

YNT Juan

On August 10, 2021, YNT Juan, an affiliate of The Wu-Tang Clan, who amassed more than 25,000 Instagram followers, passed away on Sunday, according to reports.

Cops were dispatched following a ShotSpotter activation at around 5.40pm on Sunday, according to The Hartford Courant.

When they arrived, they found the rapper – real name Juan Bautista Garcia – dead inside of the parked car.

12 O'Clock

Rapper 12 O'Clock, real name Odion Turner, was affiliated with the hip hop group, The Wu-Tang Clan.

On August 12, 2021, his death was confirmed by 12 O’Clock’s son Divine on social media.

The shooting happened at around 5:30am on Tuesday in northeast Portland.

Cops said the rapper and his cousin died of gunshot wounds and have been ruled as homicides by coroners.

Emani 22

Emani Johnson, who famously went by the stage name Emani 22, was known as an R&B singer.

It was announced on October 11, 2021, the singer had tragically passed away at the age of 22.

News of the young artist's death started circulating online on Monday, October 11, 2021.

It was later confirmed by record producer J Maine in a statement to .

"Emani 22 was a wonderful individual that literally brightened up any room she was in," he told the media outlet.

Biz Markie

Biz Markie died on July 16, 2021
12
Biz Markie died on July 16, 2021Credit: INSTAGRAM / BIZ MARKIE

Harlem rapper Marcel Theo Hall, who famously went by the stage name Biz Markie, passed away at the age of 57 on July 16, 2021.

His death had come after severe complications from Type 2 diabetes which had hospitalized him the year prior.

Markie was famously known for the 1989 hit single Just a Friend.

Gonzoe

Gonzoe died on July 29, 2021
12
Gonzoe died on July 29, 2021Credit: imgonzoe/Instagram

Just weeks after Biz Markie's untimely death, Ronald Moore, who famously went by the stage name Gonzoe, passed away.

The rapper was shot and killed on July 29, 2021 at the age of 45.

Yung Kece

Yung Kece died on October 31, 2021
12
Yung Kece died on October 31, 2021Credit: Instagram/Yung Kece

20-year-old Marquis Lamar Hargrove, who famously went by the stage name Yung Kece, was reportedly gunned down on October 31, 2021.

He was best known for his singles Which Way? Dat Way, Leavin or Staying and No Love.

Young Dolph

Young Dolph died on November 17, 2021
12
Young Dolph died on November 17, 2021Credit: Getty

American rapper Young Dolph, whose real name was Adolph Robert Thornton, Jr., passed away on November 17, 2021 after he was shot at Makeda's Cookies.

He was only 36-years-old at the time and was a father to two children.

Slim 400

Slim 400 died on December 8, 2021
12
Slim 400 died on December 8, 2021Credit: Getty Images - Getty

33-year-old rapper Slim 400 was allegedly shot and killed on Wednesday, December 8, 2021.

Slim 400, whose real name is Vincent Cohran, was best known for his song Bruisin.

Kangol Kid

After UTKO disbanded, Kangol Kid had successful career as a music producer for other artists throughout the late 1980s and 1990s
12
After UTKO disbanded, Kangol Kid had successful career as a music producer for other artists throughout the late 1980s and 1990s

Kangol Kid, real name Shaun Fequiere, passed away on Saturday, December 18 of 2021 at the age of 55.

The hip hop artist died due to complications from stage four colon cancer.

He gained fame in the 1980s for his membership in the rap group UTKO, known for their popular hit Roxanne, Roxanne.

Drakeo the Ruler

Drakeo the Ruler is best known for his 2017 mixtape, Cold Devil, and his 2021 studio album, The Truth Hurts
12
Drakeo the Ruler is best known for his 2017 mixtape, Cold Devil, and his 2021 studio album, The Truth HurtsCredit: Getty

Drakeo the Ruler, real name Darrell Caldwell, passed away on Saturday, December 18, 2021 at the age of 28.

READ MORE SUN STORIES

After his performance at Snoop Dogg's Once Upon A Time in LA music festival, Drakeo was stabbed backstage.

He was pronounced dead later that night.

Topics