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Andy Fletcher, Depeche Mode Keyboardist, Dies at 60
Depeche Mode co-founder and keyboardist Andy Fletcher has died at the age of 60, according to a post on the legendary U.K. band’s Twitter account. No cause of death has been revealed. “Fletch had a true heart of gold and was always there when you needed support, a lively conversation, a good laugh or a cold pint,” they wrote. “Our hearts are with his family.” The roots of Depeche Mode date back to the late 1970s, when Fletcher and friend Vince Clarke played in a band called No Romance In China. They eventually drafted Martin Gore and created a new group, Composition Of Sound, before vocalist Dave Gahan joined and the name Depeche Mode was adopted. Clarke famously exited Depeche Mode following the 1981 release of its debut album, Speak & Spell, first to join Yaz and later Erasure. Fletc...
NBA Hall Of Fame Big Man Bob Lanier Dies At 73
HipHopWired Featured Video Source: Focus On Sport / Getty Bob Lanier, a standout center for the Detroit Pistons and the Milwaukee Bucks, died this past Tuesday (May 10). According to the NBA, Lanier passed after experiencing a short illness. As seen on NBA.com, Lanier, born Robert Jerry Lanier Jr. on September 10, 1948, got his start on the hardwood as an undecorated high school player in Buffalo, N.Y. ahead of going on to attend St. Bonaventure University. He was selected No. 1 overall in 1970 by the Detroit Pistons after leading St. Bonaventure to the NCAA Final Four. Across 14 seasons playing for the Pistons and later the Milwaukee Bucks, Lanier averaged 20.1 points and 10.1 boards over the course of his career. Lanier was an eight-time NBA All-Star, and NBA All-Star MVP, and made the A...
Traci Braxton Dies Of Cancer At 50
HipHopWired Featured Video Source: Slaven Vlasic / Getty Traci Braxton, sister of R&B star Toni Braxton, battled with cancer for years and sadly succumbed to the disease according to a post from her sister. Traci was a notable member of the Braxton Family Values reality television series and released a charting solo project just a few years ago. TMZ has the exclusive report, of which we share a portion, below: Traci’s Husband Kevin Surratt tells TMZ … “We have come to a time where we must inform the public that after a year of privately undergoing a series of treatment for Esophageal cancer our beloved Traci Braxton has gone on to glory.” We’re told Traci’s sisters, mom and friends were by her side when she passed. Toni Braxton’s heartfelt message to her sister can be read and viewed b...
‘Good Times’ Actor Johnny Brown Has Died
HipHopWired Featured Video Source: Jason Merritt / Getty Johnny Brown made his mark in the industry via his role as building superintendent Nathan Bookman on the hit series Good Times after establishing himself as a singer. According to one of his children, Brown suddenly passed away after going into the hospital for a routine checkup. The Hollywood Reporter shared details of Brown’s passing after listing an Instagram post from Brown’s daughter, Sharon Catherine Brown, along with a statement that we’ll share below. From Instagram: Johnny Brown June 11, 1937 – March 2, 2022 Our family is devastated. Devastated. Devastated. Beyond heartbroken. Barely able to breathe. We respectfully ask for privacy at this time because we need a minute to process the unthinkable. To articulate the depths of ...
SBTV Founder Jamal Edwards Dead At 31
HipHopWired Featured Video Source: Anadolu Agency / Getty Jamal Edwards, the founder of the British music platform SBTV and champion of Grime music, has reportedly died. Edwards founded SBTV as a means to feature Grime music but went on to helped break artists such as Ed Sheeran, Skepta, Lady Leshurr, and more. Edwards, born August 24, 1990, began his career as a rapper under the name SmokeyBarz, at the age of 15. Under the moniker, Edwards uploaded videos of his performances to the SBTV YouTube page in 2006, which then served as a hub to feature a bevy of musicians from the vast British scene including the aforementioned artists and others such as Dave, Jessie J, and Rita Ora among others. Since its launch, the channel has moved north of 1 million subscribers. So vast was the SBTV reach t...
Funk Trailblazer Betty Davis Dead At 77
HipHopWired Featured Video Source: Anthony Barboza / Getty Betty Davis exploded onto the music scene in the 1970s, sporting a brash and sultry image that made her an icon to many. The pioneering funk singer and songwriter passed away this week, and we look back at her life. Fans of funk will most likely be familiar with Davis via her stylish album covers that served as precursors for the likes of other sex-positive artists such as Lil’ Kim, Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Nicki Minaj, Doja Cat, and even Madonna before them. She was born Betty Mabry in Durham, N.C., and was raised partially in the Pittsburgh suburb of Homestead. At 16, she left home to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) and found her footing in the fashion-forward scene of Greenwich Village and New York overall....
Betty Davis, Funk Icon, Dies at 77
Betty Davis, the trailblazing funk and soul musician, has died at the age of 77. A statement on Davis’ website confirmed the news of her death. She died of natural causes “At 4:40 a.m. EST on February 9, 2022, visionary singer, songwriter, producer, and fashion icon Betty Mabry Davis began her eternal rest,” the statement began. “It is with great sadness that I share the news of the passing of Betty Davis, a multi-talented music influencer and pioneer rock star, singer, songwriter, and fashion icon. Most of all, Betty was a friend, aunt, niece, and beloved member of her community of Homestead, Pennsylvania, and of the worldwide community of friends and fans,” Connie Portis, Davis’ friend of 65 years, said. Rolling Stone was first to report Davis’ death. Born on July 26, 1944, Davis was bor...
Chicago Soul Singer Syl Johnson Dead At 85, Hit Song “Different Stroke” Legendary In Hip-Hop Sampling
HipHopWired Featured Video Source: Timothy Hiatt / Getty Syl Johnson, a soul and blues singer out of Chicago, has reportedly died. Johnson’s 1967 hit “Different Strokes” was used by a number of Hip-Hop notables via sampling. Local outlet CBS Chicago reports that the family of Johnson issued a public statement regarding the passing, which occurred this past Sunday (Feb. 6). From CBS Chicago: Hall of Fame Legend, Syl Johnson (born Sylvester Thompson in Holly Springs, MS). Dad, Brother, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Uncle, Friend & Artist, he lived his life as a singer, musician, and entrepreneur who loved black music,” the family said in a statement. As the outlet notes, Johnson’s brother, Blues guitarist and singer Jimmy Johnson passed away six days prior at the age of 93. Johnson was...
Meatloaf, Famed Rock Singer & Actor, Dies At 74
HipHopWired Featured Video CLOSE Source: Brian Rasic / Getty Meatloaf, one of the highest-selling artists of his era and a beloved figure in the Rock music genre, has died. According to a report, Meatloaf passed away on Thursday (Jan. 20) with his family and friends close by. Deadline reports that Meatloaf, born Marvin Lee Aday and later changing his first name to Michael, was surrounded by his wife Deborah, two daughters, and close family friends by way of an account from Meatloaf’s agent, Michael Greene. The outlet shared a portion of a statement from the family: “We know how much he meant to so many of you and we truly appreciate all of the love and support as we move through this time of grief in losing such an inspiring artist and beautiful man,” Meat Loaf’s family said in a statement...
Fashion Maven André Leon Talley Dies At 73
HipHopWired Featured Video CLOSE Source: Cindy Ord / Getty André Leon Talley, a fashion legend who made his mark as the former creative director of Vogue, has reportedly passed away. Talley was battling a long-term illness, according to still-developing reports. TMZ was among the first to report the passing of Talley after confirming the news with a source who says that the iconic fashion maven passed away on Tuesday (Jan. 18) in White Plains, N.Y. More from TMZ: Talley was instrumental to Vogue’s vision and direction in the ’80s and ’90s, when he worked his way up the magazine ranks to eventually become the news director — which he helmed from ’83 to ’87 — and then ascended to Vogue’s creative director in ’88. He held that post for a good 7 or so years, and before long … he was heading up...
Houston Rapper Sad Frosty Dead At 24
HipHopWired Featured Video CLOSE Source: Screencap / Instagram Sad Frosty, a rapper who amassed a strong online following, has reportedly died. The cause of death remains unknown, and many of Sad Frosty’s peers took to Twitter to mourn him. There isn’t much online regarding Sad Frosty’s personal life, but what we have learned is that he was born on March 4, 1997, and was raised in the Houston, Texas area. The U.S. Sun reports that Frosty broke wide with 2018’s “ADHD Freestyle.” Frosty released two full-length projects, A Playlist, and Playground, in 2018 and 2019 respectively. His last two songs, “Beavis & Butt-head” with DC The Don and “Dopamine Freestyle,” were released in 2021. Sad Frosty was 24. — Photo: Instagram
James Mtume, R&B & Jazz Musician, Has Reportedly Died
HipHopWired Featured Video CLOSE Source: David Corio / Getty James Mtume, a jazz musician who went on to form the R&B band Mtume, has reportedly died. Mtume was behind the massive “Juicy Fruit” hit, famously sampled by The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Juicy” smash. As confirmed by Pitchfork, Mtume, who recently celebrated his birthday according to an Instagram post, passed over the weekend but the reason was not disclosed. Via Twitter, Lisa Lucas, the daughter of Mtume’s partner Reggie Lucas, took to social media to comment on the loss of the man she referred to as an uncle. Mtume was born James Heath on January 3, 1946, in Philadelphia, Pa. He was the son of jazz saxophonist Jimmy Heath and was raised by stepfather James Forman, a jazz pianist. In interviews, Mtume remarked on instances as a y...
