RIP
Musicians Remember Mark Lanegan: “One of THE Great Singers of the Last 30 Years”
Following the sad news that Mark Lanegan died at age 57 earlier today (February 22nd), the talented frontman of Screaming Trees and erstwhile member of Queens of the Stone Age is being remembered by his musical peers. Lanegan’s prolific music career — which also saw him release 12 solo albums and collaborate with a number of other musicians — had a profound influence and impact on many artists. Former New Order bassist Peter Hook tweeted, “Mark Lanegan was a lovely man. He led a wild life that some of us could only dream of. He leaves us with fantastic words and music! Thank god that through all of that he will live forever. RIP Mark. Sleep well.” Advertisement Related Video Velvet Underground legend John Cale wrote, “I can’t process this. Mark Lanegan will always be etched in my hear...
R.I.P. Jon Zazula, Megaforce Records Founder Who Helped Launch Metallica’s Career Dies at 69
Jon Zazula, the legendary founder of Megaforce Records, has died at age 69. Sadly, his passing comes just one year after the death of his wife, Marsha, who co-founded the iconic metal label with her husband. According to Variety, a rep for Megaforce confirmed that Jon Zazula passed away on Tuesday (February 1st) in Florida, where he was surrounded by his brother, daughters, and granddaughters, as well as a number of friends and associates. Known as “Jonny Z,” Zazula was a major force in the metal world, helping to launch the careers of Metallica, Anthrax, and many other bands. He and Marsha essentially founded Megaforce in order to sign Metallica to their first record deal, releasing the band’s groundbreaking 1983 debut album, Kill ‘Em All. The thrash titans stuck with Megaforce for their ...
‘Moon Knight’ Actor Gaspard Ulliel Killed In Tragic Skiing Accident
HipHopWired Featured Video Source: FRANCOIS GUILLOT / Getty Moon Knight hasn’t even hit Disney+ yet and already one of the series actors has passed away in a tragic accident. According to the BBC, Gaspard Ulliel was killed on Tuesday (January 18) in a skiing accident in the Alps. Per the report, the 37-year-old actor was skiing in the Savoie region of the Alps when he collided with another person. The impact was so bad that Ulliel suffered severe brain trauma and was airlifted to a hospital in Grenoble. Unfortunately, he passed away the next day. The other skier was hospitalized as well and authorities are investigating the matter as of now. The accident happened the day after the trailer to the highly anticipated Moon Knight premiered during Monday Night Football in which the French actor...
R.I.P. Rachel Nagy, Lead Singer of The Detroit Cobras Has Died
Rachel Nagy, the frontwoman of The Detroit Cobras, has passed away. The sad news was announced via the band’s social pages, with no cause of death given. The Detroit Cobras came out of the same ’90s garage rock revival scene as The White Stripes, The Dirtbombs, and other bands. Nagy and guitarist Mary Ramirez, along with guitarist Greg Cartwright, formed the core of the group, joined by a rotating cast of other musicians throughout the years. Still an active band up until Nagy’s passing, The Detroit Cobras primarily recorded and performed covers of classic and little known R&B songs from the 1960s. Nagy’s passing was revealed by Cartwright, who wrote the following via Instagram: Dear friends, family and fans, It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that we announce the loss of our b...
R.I.P. Burke Shelley, Budgie Singer-Bassist Dies at 71
Burke Shelley, the singer and bassist of the influential Welsh metal band Budgie, has died at the age of 71. Shelley’s daughter, Ela, shared the following post Monday night (January 10th) on Facebook: “It is with great sadness that I announce the death of my father, John Burke Shelley. He passed away this evening in his sleep at Heath Hospital in Cardiff, his birth town. He was 71 years old. Please respect the family during this time. With love, His four children: Ela, Osian, Dimitri and Nathaniel.” Although no cause of death was given, Shelley had suffered from health problems over the last few years (a genetic disorder called Stickler syndrome, plus two aortic aneurysms), which kept Budgie off of the road and from issuing new music. Advertisement Related Video Born John Burke Shelley on ...
Jessie Lee Daniels Of The Force MD’s Dies At 57
HipHopWired Featured Video CLOSE Source: Raymond Boyd / Getty It’s a sad day for Staten Island Hip-Hop and R&B, and the world. Jessie Lee Daniels of The Force MD’s has reportedly died at 57. The singer’s management confirmed his passing on Facebook. “Please put a heart up for him. He was loved!!!!!!!!!! TO the family, friends and fans today we lost a real talent. Our condolences goes out to his siblings, kids and the Force MDs,” reads the post as reported by The Mirror. Hailing from Staten Island, the Force MD’s were originally known as the Force MC’s. However, at the height of their popularity they were an R&B vocal group with hits like the Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis-produced “Tender Love” and “Love is a House” that are certified classics. Daniels, who was the uncle of members...
UTFO Rapper Kangol Passes Away, Twitter Salutes The Legend
HipHopWired Featured Video CLOSE Source: Derrick Salters/WENN.com / WENN Rapper and Hip-Hp pioneer Kangol Kid, born Shaun Shiller Fequiere, of UTFO fame has passed away. He was 55 years old. Early reports say Kangol passed away early Saturday morning (Dec. 18). Kangol had been bravely battling colon cancer, after being diagnosed about a year ago, and recently was paid a visit by LL Cool J in the hospital. As a member of UTFO (short for Untouchable Force Organization), which included the Educated Rapper, Doctor Ice, and Mix Master Ice, the quarter enjoyed early success, most known for their 1984 hit “Roxanne Roxanne,” which inspired a gang of answer records. Kangol’s UTFO groupmate Educated Rapper passed away in 2017. Hip-Hop heads who know their history, along with fellow legends including...
Leonard Hubbard, A Founding Member of The Roots, Dies From Cancer
HipHopWired Featured Video Source: Paul Bergen / Getty Leonard “Hub” Hubbard, a founding member of the legendary Roots crew, has passed away. He was 62. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that he passed away on Wednesday (Dec. 15) at Lankenau Hospital and that his step-daughter India Owens confirmed his death. OG The Roots fans will remember Hubbard as the bassist who rocked sleeveless hoodies and had an ever-present chew stick while holding down fellow members Questlove, Black Thought and the late Malik B, who passed away in 2020, while on stage. However, Hub would stop touring in 2007 as he began to battle his illness—he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a blood cancer. Reportedly Hubbard, who lived in West Philadelphia, had been in remission until last month. “It happened quickly. He ...
Legendary Journalist, Writer Greg Tate Has Passed Away
HipHopWired Featured Video Source: WENN / WENN Greg Tate, a music writing and journalism titan who many consider the Godfather of Hip-Hop writing has passed away. He was 64. Duke University Press, his publisher, confirmed his passing. “We are deeply saddened to announce the death of music and cultural critic Greg Tate, author of Flyboy 2,” said Duke University Press in a statement. “Our condolences to his family, friends, and many fans. After attending Howard University, Tate’s work could be found in The Village Voice, Vibe, Spin and more. Tate’s first book, Flyboy in the Buttermilk: Essays on Contemporary America, is like a blueprint to style, depth and grace, along with pinpoints accurate social commentary, when it comes to covering Black music. His most recent work, Flyboy 2: The G...
Up & Coming Rapper Big Wan Shot & Killed
HipHopWired Featured Video Source: @bigwan_bigload / Instagram Just when it seemed like the horrible trend was dying down, another young up and coming rapper has been killed in his hometown. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Big Wan (real name Dawan Turner) was shot and killed this past Friday (November 26) when shots were fired into a home on the 3800 block of North 13th Street. He was staying there with his mother and grandmother at the time of the shooting. He was only 19-years-old. Once praised by Pitchfork’s Alphonse Pierre as one of Milwaukee’s “finest (expletive) talker,” in the game, Wan was considered one of the city’s most promising talents to get into the music game. Just eight months later, his family will have to plan his funeral. The shooting took place at 9:0...
Virgil Abloh Passes Away From Rare Cancer at 41
Source: Craig Barritt / Getty Renowned designer Virgil Abloh has passed away. He was just 41 years old. View this post on Instagram A post shared by @virgilabloh Louis Vuitton, where Abloh served as Artistic Director of Menswear, and Off-White, the brand he founded in 2012, announced his death. Abloh was reportedly battling cancer for several years before passing on Sunday, November 28. “We are all shocked after this terrible news. Virgil was not only a genius designer, a visionary, he was also a man with a beautiful soul and great wisdom,” said LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault in its statement. “The LVMH family joins me in this moment of great sorrow, and we are all thinking of his loved ones after the passing of their husband, their father, their brother or their friend.”...
Virgil Abloh Passes Away From Rare Cancer at 41
HipHopWired Featured Video CLOSE Source: Craig Barritt / Getty Renowned designer Virgil Abloh has passed away. He was just 41 years old. Louis Vuitton, where Abloh served as Artistic Director of Menswear, and Off-White, the brand he founded in 2012, announced his death. Abloh was reportedly battling cancer for several years before passing on Sunday, November 28. “We are all shocked after this terrible news. Virgil was not only a genius designer, a visionary, he was also a man with a beautiful soul and great wisdom,” said LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault in its statement. “The LVMH family joins me in this moment of great sorrow, and we are all thinking of his loved ones after the passing of their husband, their father, their brother or their friend.” According to a statement on Abloh’s own IG, afte...
