Hip-Hop.com

Geronimo Ji Jaga Pratt, former Black Panther, political prisoner and inspiration to many rappers, not the least was his godson, Tupac Shakur, has passed away at the age of 63.

Pratt was wrongly convicted of the kidnapping and murder of a schoolteacher in 1970. His his life sentence was vacated by the California Supreme Court in 1997, when it was established that the chief witness in the trial was also a paid FBI informant. Altogether he had lived 27 years in prison before he was freed.

After winning his freedom, he spoke on behalf of political prisoners, many of whom were ensnared in the COINTELPRO program of President Nixon and J. Edgar Hoover. After leaving prison, he moved and lived to Tanzania, where he died.

Read More: BET

Revered poet and proto-hip-hopper Gil Scott-Heron has passed away today, at the age of 62. Scott-Heron is of course the man who gave us “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised,” his most famous and oft-quoted and oft-parodied poem. His contributions to black culture and hip-hop are innumerable, but he always stayed relevant; he was sampled not long ago by Kanye West on “Who Will Survive in America,” the end track of his last CD. After a 16-year hiatus due to personal and legal matters, including bouts with drug addiction, Scott-Heron released his 13th album last year, I’m New Here.

Read more: NPR

Hip-Hop Legend & 90′s G-Funk Pioneer Nate Dogg Passes on Tuesday March 15th.. Much Respect to tha Dogg!! His music touched us all in the culture.. Instead of hearing it from us we are going to share a few quotes from those in hip-hop closest to Nate Dogg. Rest in Power!

Snoop Dogg:

“We lost a true legend n hip hop n rnb. One of my best friends n a brother to me since 1986 when I was a sophomore at poly high where we met”

“I love u buddy luv. U will always b wit me 4ever n a day u put the g n g funk u put the 1 n 213 n u put yo stamp on evrybdy u ever didit wit”

Kurupt:

Man cuzz.We lost some1 very dear ta our hearts and soul. NATE DOGG. I luv u cuzz. U will be missed greatly.Nate dogg raised me.I luv u cuzz

Daz Dillinger:

R.I.P. TO MY HOMEBOY NATE DOGG DPGC DOGG POUND GANGSTA 4 LIFE

Xzbit:

“We love you Nate Dogg, it’s never going to be the same.”

Ludacris:

“There is a certain void in hip hop’s heart that can never be filled. Glad we got to make history together.

The Game:

“I lost a friend. Been here before. Tears. Memories. One day someone will lose ‘US’ as well. LIVING until that day comes is our only option.”

Legendary hip-hop artist and graffiti artist Rammellzee has passed away, according to various Twitter accounts. An official confirmation is still pending and a cause of death is not yet known.

Born in 1960, Rammellzee was considered a pioneer in the hip-hop community and his unique vocal style served as influence for a number of today’s artists. His resume was highlighted by “Beat Bop”, his legendary 1983 single with K-Rob, collaborations with Buckethead, and appearances in influential hip-hop films Wild Style and Style Wars.

In addition to his work in the music community, Rammellzee was also an acclaimed graphic artist whose works were based on the theory of Gothic Futurism. According to Wikipedia, the theory “describes the battle between letters and their symbolic warfare against any standardizations enforced by the rules of the alphabet.”

peep the @149st interview

can somebody confirm his passing? need to make some phone calls..