Gregory “G Baby” Brown
DOB Unknown – March 13, 2010
G Baby was an up-and-coming New York City rapper who was signed to Memphis Bleek’s Get Low Records. He was reportedly facing a prison term for selling drugs. On March 13, 2010, G Baby was gunned down by an unknown assailant as he was leaving an NYC club. He was 22 years old.
J Dilla aka Jay Dee (Born James Yancey)
February 7, 1974 – February 10, 2006
J Dilla was a respected hip hop producer who rose to prominence during the late ’90s. He began getting noticed thanks to mid ’90s remixes for the likes of the Pharcyde, Janet Jackson and A Tribe Called Quest. In 1997, Jackson’s “Got ’til It’s Gone” won a Grammy. Even though Dilla produced it, he wasn’t credited, therefore didn’t receive the Grammy. Dilla began releasing his own albums in 2000, each of which were moderately successful, particularly throughout hip hop’s underground community. In 2003, he began collaborating with Los Angeles based producer and MC, Madlib. Together they recorded as Jaylib. Around that time, Dilla learned he was suffering from a rare blood disease that made it increasingly more difficult for him to get around. His health continued to deteriorate over the next few years. On February 10, 2006, 32-year-old J Dilla died of cardiac arrest.
Patrick “Fat Pat” Hawkins
December 4, 1970 – February 3, 1998
Member of the 27 Club
Fat Pat was a popular Houston rapper who achieved moderate fame and success during the mid ’90s. Besides his solo work, he could be heard as part of DJ Screw’s Screwed Up Click. In 1998, Fat Pat’s Ghetto Dreams was released two weeks after his death. It included the single, “Tops Drop,” a Top-50 R&B and Top-5 Rap single. Singles he recorded with Lil’ Keke, Lil Troy & Big Hawk, and Trae all did well on the charts as well. On February 3, 1998, Fat Pat was shot and killed after collecting payment for an appearance. He was 27 years old
Apache (Born Anthony Peaks)
DOB Unknown – January 22, 2010
Apache was a New Jersey rapper who began his career fronting the late ’80s hip-hop group, the Flavor Unit. In 1991, he released is debut album, Apache Ain’t Shit, which reached #66 on the Billboard album chart. The album included the hit single, “Gangsta Bitch” which received respectable radio and video play. Apache can also be heard on albums by Tupac Shakur and Naughty By Nature. On January 22, 2010, it was reported that Apache passed away earlier that day after a long illness.
MC Breed (Born Eric Breed)
DOB Unknown – November 22, 2008
MC Breed was a Flint, Michigan raised rapper who has been credited as being the first Midwest rapper to break out commercially. Over a recording career that began in 1990, Breed released over a dozen albums from which cames such rap hits as “Aint No Future In You Frontin,” and “Gotta Get Mine” which featured Tupac Shakur. MC Breed, 37, died suddenly of kidney failure on November 22, 2008.
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