Died On This Date (February 21, 2013) Kenny Clutch / Oakland Rapper
themusicsover Kenny Clutch (Born Kenneth Cherry Jr.)
DOB Unknown – February 21, 2013
Member of the 27 Club
Kenny Clutch was an up-and-coming rapper from Oakland, California. He had recently moved to Las Vegas where he was releasing music videos on youtube in order to build a following. In the early hours of February 20, 2013, Kenny Clutch was apparently involved in an altercation that resulted in being fired upon by occupant(s) of another vehicle on the Las Vegas Strip. The shooting reportedly lead to a fiery collision involving Clutch and a taxi cab. The driver of the cab, identified as Michael Bolden, and a passenger were killed in the explosion. Four other vehicles were apparently damaged as the alleged assailant fled the scene in his or her car. In all, six others, besides those killed, were injured. It was not immediately clear if Clutch was killed by gunshot or the resulting crash. Kenny Clutch was 27 years old when he died.
Matthew Africa was a popular hip-hop DJ in the San Francisco bay area. Africa began building his following after he joined U.C. Berkeley radio station, KALX-FM. Over a career that spanned some 20 years, he was revered for his ability to find rare soul and hip-hop vinyl nuggets and introduce them to his audience. He went on to become a popular club, party, and event DJ while fans gobbled up his mix tapes. In recent years, Africa could be heard on 
Chris Lighty was a respected artist manager who counted Sean “Diddy” Combs, Mariah Carey, Ja Rule and 50 Cent as clients. Raised in New York City, Lighty landed his first significant gig in 1988 with Russell Simmon’s Rush Management. After learning the ropes and building a solid reputation as a man who could build brands, Lighty formed Violator Management. His early roster included Busta Rhymes, L L Cool J, and Missy Elliott. Before long, Lighty was representing some of the biggest names in entertainment, and while doing so, becoming one of the most significant business forces in rap history. Chris Lighty reportedly died from a self-inflected gunshot wound at his home on August 30, 2012. He was 44.
Ramona Scott, known professionally as Ms. Melodie, was a rapper and MC who was part of her one-time husband, KRS-One’ s group, Boogie Down Productions. She remained with the outfit until their divorce in 1992. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Scott released her first 12″ record, “Hype According To Ms. Melodie” in 1988. She followed that up with her one and only album, the mostly KRS-One produced, Diva in 1989. The album featured the hits, “Live On Stage” and “Wake Up, Wake Up,” which cracked the top 20 of Billboard’s Rap Singles Chart. Both received significant video airplay on MTV and other outlets. On July 18, 2012, it was announced that Ramona Scott passed away earlier that day. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Known professionally as Lil’ Phat, Melvin Vernell was an Atlanta area rapper who collaborated with Trill Entertainment’s Webbie and Lil’ Boosie on the 2008 hit song, “Independent,” which reached #9 on the Billboard singles chart and twice topped the rap charts. On his own, Lil’ Phat released a handful of records including Life Of A Yungsta and Death Before Dishonor. Police reports indicate that on June 7, 2012, Lil’ Phat was shot by an assailant or assailants in an area hospital parking structure. Neither the suspect(s) nor a motive were initially determined. Lil’ Phat was 19.
