obit
‘The Mack’ Actor Max Julien Dies At 88
HipHopWired Featured Video Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Max Julien, an actor who made a star turn as Goldie in the Blaxploitation classic The Mack, has died. Beyond acting, Julien was also a designer and sculptor among many other creative pursuits. The news was broken by comic book writer, illustrator, and journalist David F. Walker via his Instagram account. Walker shared that he first met Julien back in 1996 and forged a strong friendship as a result. From Walker’s Instagram post: Jan. 1, 1945 – Jan. 1, 2022 I met Max back in 1996. He was a great human being, and we had so many amazing conversations. He was brilliant and hilarious and charismatic… R.I.P}} Julien was born Maxwell Banks in 1933 and was raised in Washington, D.C. His acting career began in New York City via Off-Bro...
Betty White Dead At 99, Twitter Reacts #BettyWhite
HipHopWired Featured Video CLOSE Source: CBS Photo Archive / Getty Betty White, one of the most beloved figures of all time in entertainment, has enjoyed support from a fanbase that spans decades. On New Year’s Eve (Dec. 31), the veteran actress passed away at the age of 99. As reported by TMZ, reps for White say that she wasn’t battling any known illnesses and kept close to home in the midst of the pandemic. Betty Marion White was born in Oak Park, Ill., on January 17, 1922. As a baby, the family relocated to Los Angeles where she later discovered a passion for writing. Inspired by the careers of Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy, White pursued the craft of acting. While her film career began in 1945, it was in the 1950s that White found her fame in television, including her own self-tit...
NFL Hall Of Fame Legend & Broadcaster John Madden Dead At 85
HipHopWired Featured Video CLOSE Source: Focus On Sport / Getty John Madden, who made his mark as an NFL coach and later a notable broadcaster, has died. The Hall of Fame figure led the Oakland Raiders to a Super Bowl championship and is perhaps best known for the award-winning video game series that carries his name. According to a report from the NFL, Madden was not battling any known illnesses and died unexpectedly. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell issued a statement honoring the coach and broadcaster. From NFL.com: “On behalf of the entire NFL family, we extend our condolences to Virginia, Mike, Joe and their families,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “We all know him as the Hall of Fame coach of the Oakland Raiders and broadcaster who worked for every major network, ...
Author, Activist & Scholar bell hooks Dead At 69 #bellhooks
HipHopWired Featured Video CLOSE Source: The Washington Post / Getty Author, scholar, and noted feminist bell hooks became a towering figure in her decades-long career, penning dozens of books that inspired a generation of great thinkers in her wake. The prolific public intellectual has died, with reactions surfacing online reflecting on her lasting legacy.
Robbie Shakespeare Of Pioneering Reggae Duo Sly and Robbie Has Died
HipHopWired Featured Video CLOSE Source: Frans Schellekens / Getty Robbie Shakespeare, one-half of the pioneering reggae duo, Sly and Robbie, has died. Shakespeare was a noted bassist who worked alongside fellow reggae legends such as Bob Marley and Peter Tosh while lending his talents to other musicians such as The Rolling Stones and more. Born Robert Warren Dale Shakespeare in East Kingston, Jamaica, on September 27, 1953, Shakespeare got his start early on as his family’s home was a hub for many Jamaican artists and musicians according to a 2012 interview with United Reggae. In the piece, Shakespeare revealed that he learned the art of bass playing from Aston “Family Man” Barrett, sticking close to his mentor before he went on to become a bassist for The Wailers. It was around the mid-1...
Astro, Founding Member Of Reggae & Pop Band UB40, Has Passed Away
HipHopWired Featured Video Source: Gie Knaeps / Getty For over four decades, the British reggae and pop band UB40 has delighted music fans all over the world and even notched a pair of number one hits in the process. One of the band’s founding members, Astro, has passed away due to a short illness. Via fellow founding band member Ali Campbell’s Twitter page, the passing of Astro, born Terence Wilson, was shared with some brief details. From Twitter: We are absolutely devastated and completely heartbroken to have to tell you that our beloved Astro has today passed away after a very short illness. The world will never be the same without him. We ask you to please respect his family’s privacy at this incredibly difficult time. Campbell and Astro split from the original group, forming UB40 fea...
Nenobia Washington AKA The Queen of Brooklyn Cause Of Death Under Investigation
HipHopWired Featured Video Source: Dupree Frederick / facebook Nenobia Washington, better known to many across social media as “The Queen of Brooklyn,” was found dead in New York over the weekend under circumstances that remained unknown until now. The speculative cause of Washington’s death has been discussed, although an official statement has not been made. TMZ shared in a report that they spoke exclusively with the father of Washington’s son, David Jackson, who informed the outlet that their son had a conversation with the mother prior to her death. It is being speculated that Washington jumped six stories to her death from a New York building but it hasn’t been reported if this was her home or a business. Related Stories Washington first came to fame in 2015 after an interview on the ...
The Gap Band Founding Member Ronnie Wilson Has Died
HipHopWired Featured Video Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Getty The Gap Band found measurable success in the ’70s and ’80s on the back of the powerhouse vocals of “Uncle” Charlie Wilson and his siblings, Robert and Ronnie Wilson. Founding member Ronnie Wilson died Tuesday morning (November 2) peacefully at home with family nearby. TMZ got exclusive details of Mr. Wilson’s passing from his wife, Linda Boulware-Wilson, who shared that the music legend died while holding her hand. Wilson suffered a stroke last week and didn’t recover and the outlet adds that the musician had suffered other strokes in the past. Mrs. Boulware-Wilson issued a brief statement in honor of her husband, which we’ll share below: The love of my life was called home this morning, at 10:01am. Please continue to pray fo...
Grand Puba & Brand Nubian Affiliate DJ Stud Dugee Has Reportedly Passed Away
HipHopWired Featured Video Source: Elektra / @HevNamedMeGrap Fans of Grand Puba and his solo efforts are well aware that he ventured off on his own with DJ Alamo of his group Brand Nubian and Stud Dugee in tow. According to a tweet from Grap Luva and others, Stud Doogie has reportedly passed away and some have chimed in with thoughts. Not much is known about the passing of Stud Dugee, and we must note that Grap Luva spelled the name Doogie and an older tweet from Brand Nubian’s Sadat X spells it as Doughie. We happened across the Facebook page of Ron Cherry, which we can confirm is the given name of DJ Stud Dugee. Via the page, Dugee’s connection to Hip-Hop elite circles spread far and wide as he shared photos with late legends Biz Markie, Black Rob, and also appears in photos with Ra...
WSB-TV News Anchor Jovita Moore Has Passed, Colleagues & More Remember Her Via Twitter
HipHopWired Featured Video CLOSE Source: Paras Griffin / Getty Hearts are heavy across the Atlanta metropolitan region and the rest of the nation after news that Emmy Award-winning journalist Jovita Moore has died. Moore was an anchor for the city’s WSB-TV outlet and was upheld as a beloved fixture by not only viewers and colleagues, but those outside her industry as well. WSB-TV anchor Justin Farmer delivered the news with alarming professionalism and poise, despite speaking of not only a workplace partner but a dear friend of his. Gamely, Farmer delivered the news out of sheer obligation and perhaps a will of steel as the production team put together a collage of videos featuring Moore at work. Moore, a native of New York City, obtained her undergraduate degree from Bennington College in...
Rest Powerfully In Peace To Shawn “Jeranimo” Oliver Of Rumpletilskinz
HipHopWired Featured Video Source: Twitter / @JazzUNGang Hip-Hop fans of a certain age are no doubt well aware of the iconic dance, the East Coast Stomp, popularized by Long Island collective, Leaders Of The New School. The inventor of the dance, Shawn “Jeranimo” Oliver of Rumpletilskinz fame has reportedly passed away. Few details are known about Oliver’s passing, but Jazz from the group, The U.N., shared a tweet on Monday (October 25) mourning the loss of his Long Island brethren in Jeranimo. “Rest In Perfection Shawn “Geronimo” Oliver,” read one tweet from Jazz, featuring an image of the late Malik “Phife Dawg” Taylor, Q-Tip, Ali Shaheed Muhammad of A Tribe Called Quest, a woman who appears to be rapper Lin Que, and Dinco D of Leaders Of The New School. In the flick, Phife is pretending...
Rising R&B Singer Emani 22 Has Died
HipHopWired Featured Video Source: Instagram / @lonebrain A rising R&B star out of Califonia tragically lost her life earlier this week, and some of her peers are paying their respects. Emani 22 of Lancaster reportedly died this past Monday (October 11), and the details are largely being kept from the public at the moment. PEOPLE exclusively spoke with Emani 22’s manager and received a statement sharing the tragic news. From PEOPLE: “It is with heavy hearts that the family of Emani has confirmed her passing,” a statement provided to PEOPLE reads. “They would like to share that although she fought courageously and the medical team went above and beyond doing everything in their power to aid in her recovery, on Monday, October 11th, Emani succumbed to the injuries she sustained after a t...
