Lord Infamous (Born Ricky Dunigan) November 17, 1973 – December 20, 2013
Lord Infamous was an American rapper and co-founding member of the popular rap group, Three 6 Mafia who is credited with coining “crunk” to describe the style of southern hip hop they came to exemplify. Formed in 1991, the group built a sizable underground following for their music that some have labeled “horrorcore” due to its darker elements. Lord Infamous’ lyrics in particular, generally revolved around the occult, murder, suicide and Satanism. Three 6 Mafia’s fourth album, 2000’s When the Smoke Clears: Sixty 6, Sixty 1, reached #6 on the Billboard Top 200 on its way to selling well over a million copies. In 2006, Lord Infamous and Three 6 Mafia parted ways due to a contractual breach with their record label. Lord Infamous went on to form a label, Black Rain Entertainment, with longtime friend, II Tone. The company released numerous albums by Lord Infamous and other hip hop acts from the Memphis area. Earlier in 2013, Lord Infamous with original Three 6 Mafia members, DJ Paul, Crunchy Black, Koopsta Knicca, and Gangsta Boo formed Da Mafia 6ix. They released their first mix tape, 6ix Commandments in November of 2013 while working on a new studio album to be released in 2014. On December 20, 2013, Lord Infamous died at the age of 40. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Ray Price was a legendary country singer, musician and songwriter whose smooth baritone was one of the finest that country music has ever known. Born in eastern Texas, Price began singing for an Abilene radio station upon his return from WWII. He moved to Nashville during the early ’50s and even roomed with Hank Williams for a bit. After managing Williams’ Drifting Cowboys, he formed the Cherokee Cowboys in 1953 – a group that at one point or another counted Willie Nelson, Roger Miller, Johnny Paycheck and Johnny Bush as its own. Over the years, Price scored iconic hits with “Release Me,” “For The Good Times,” and “Night Life,” to name just a few. He was recognized with two Grammys – for Best Male Country Vocal Performance in 1971, and for Best Country Collaboration With Vocals with Nelson in 2008. Price continued to record and perform well into his 80s and was even hoping to do upwards of 100 live dates after learning he had pancreatic cancer in November of 2012. Ray Price ultimately died from the cancer on December 16, 2013. He was 87.
Murvin “Junior Murvin” Smith 1949 – December 2, 2013
Junior Murvin was an influential reggae performer whose 1976 recording of “Police And Thieves” is considered one of the genre’s most important records. Born in Jamaica, Murvin began singing at an early age. After graduating from high school, he moved to Kingston to launch a career in music. After unsuccessfully auditioning for Lee Scratch Perry and Coxsone Dodd, he landed a deal with Gayfeet Records and later Crystal Records with whom he landed a minor hit with 1972’s “Solomon.” Murvin continued to build a following while performing throughout Jamaica’s many nightclubs and hotel bars until once again, auditioning for Perry in 1976. This time, Perry agreed to record a new song Murvin wrote called “Police And Thieves,” which lead to a full album by the same name for Island Records. The song became a fast hit in Jamaica as well as London where it became an anthem for the local rioters at the time. The album from which it came is considered by many to be Perry’s finest moment as a producer. The song made such an impact on Londoners, that the Clash recorded it and included it in their 1977 debut album. Murvin’s version later appeared in the films, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Rockers, and The Royal Tenenbaums while Dave Grohl recorded it for Reno 911!: Miami. Murvin’s final album, Signs And Wonders, came out in 1989. Junior Murvin was 64 when he passed away on December 2, 2013. He was reportedly suffering from diabetes.
Nick Babeu was the lead singer for Montreal, Canada punk band, Trigger Effect. Formed in 2003, the band built a sizable following thanks to their energetic live shows and the three albums they have released. Their most recent album, What’s Left To Eliminate? came out in early 2013. Nick Babeu passed away on November 20, 2013. Cause of death was not immediately released.