Legendary Rapper and Producer, Grand Daddy I.U., Dies at 54

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Grand Daddy I.U., a veteran of golden age hip-hop label Cold Chillin' Records and a member of the legendary Queensbridge, New York, rap collective Juice Crew, has died. He was 54.

The rapper, ghostwriter and music producer's daughter, musician Yaya Bey, confirmed he died Monday night after rumors of his death began to circulate online.

"My dad passed away last night," she posted on Twitter. "I know he’s popular and some of you might already know but it’s only been a few hours so please I don’t want to talk to you about it."

Born, Ayub Bey, the New York native was signed to Cold Chillin' Records by Biz Markie in 1989. His debut album “Smooth Assassin" followed in 1990.

Produced by Biz Markie, it produced two minor hits, "Something New" and "Sugar Free." which peaked at No. 11 and nine respectively on Billboard's Rap chart.

Grand Daddy I.U. went on to release three more albums, with the final one, "P.I.M.P. (Paper Is My Priority)," coming in 2017.

GRAND DADDY IU YOU WERE A GREAT PERSON AND IM SAD RIGHT NOW. pic.twitter.com/UZw3LrABBq

— PETEROCK.COM (@PeteRock) December 13, 2022

Initially, a ghostwriter and producer for Biz Markie before a falling out over album credits, he also did prolific work as a producer for acts like Das EFX, Ice T, KRS-One and Heltah Skeltah.

Legendary producer Pete Rock, who once called Grand Daddy I.U. one of the most slept-on MCs and a great lyricist, lamented the news on Twitter.

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"GRAND DADDY IU YOU WERE A GREAT PERSON AND IM SAD RIGHT NOW," he wrote.

DJ Chuck Chillout, a longtime friend of the rapper, captioned a picture of his on Instagram, "Man this one hurts RIP to coldchillin artist MC @granddaddy_iu rest well bro u will be miss."

Ronnie Turner, Youngest Son of Music Legends Tina and Ike Turner, Dead After Short Battle With Cancer

Photo Courtesy @afida_turner/Instagram

Ronnie Turner (middle) with his mother

Tina Turner (left) and wife Afida.

Ronnie Turner, the youngest son of legendary musicians Tina and Ike Turner, has died. He was 62.

The accomplished musician died Thursday (Dec. 8) morning outside a home in Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley.

According to a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department, paramedics rushed to his aid after receiving a 911 call reporting that he was struggling to breathe outside of the caller's home.

Efforts by bystanders, who were attempting CPR prior to their arrival, and the paramedics to revive Turner proved futile. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The death triggered an outpouring of emotion online from his wife, French media personality and singer Afida, and his mother.

"My god Ronnie Turner a true angel, huge soul, highly spiritual. My husband, my best friend, my baby, your mummy, your nurse. I did the best to the end," Afida wrote on Instagram, alongside pictures she shared chronicling their relationship.

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"This time I was not able to save you. Love you for 17 years this is very very very bad. I am very mad. This is a tragedy. You with your brother Craig and your father IKe and Aline. Rest in paradise. So unfair."

Tina Turner's Instagram post was succinct but powerful.

"Ronnie, you left the world far too early," the 83-year-old icon captioned a black-and-white picture of herself. "In sorrow I close my eyes and think of you, my beloved son."

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A post shared by Tina Turner (@tinaturner)

Ronnie, who made his home in Encino, California, was born to the R&B power couple in 1960, and eventually pursued his own career in music. Prior to his father's death, he played bass in both of his parents’ bands at points. He also had his own group, Manufactured Funk.

Turner also had a small part in his mother's 1993 biopic "What's Love Got to Do with It."

Authorities did not give an official cause of death, but Afida, 45, revealed that her husband expired following a short and intense battle with cancer.

She said on Instagram Friday, that the cancer survivor had become sick very suddenly three weeks ago. This time his body could not beat the disease.

"Ronnie was a terrific musician and bass player," she wrote, adding that he had an 'amazing soul.' "F—k cancer."

Turner's death comes just four years after that of his older brother Craig, who committed suicide in 2018.

California Street Being Renamed in Honor of 'Freaky Tales' Rapper Too $hort

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Iconic West Coast rapper, Too $hort, is being honored with his own road in the city where he first started on the path to becoming the "Godfather of Bay Area Hip-Hop."

On Saturday, part of Oakland’s Foothill Boulevard is being renamed "Too $hort Way" to honor the California native.

The three-block stretch of Foothill Boulevard, between High Street and 47th Avenue, includes the rapper's alma mater — Fremont High.

He spent much of his formative years in the area after moving to Oakland from Los Angeles with his family as a teen.

"Foothill Bus number 43," which took him to school, is even referenced on his classic 1987 track “Freaky Tales." On it, he raps, "I once met a hooker, she did it for free on the Foothill bus number forty-three, all the way in the back she was workin' me had my big beatbox and I was jammin' the beat."

"There’s an understanding that we should recognize him, based not only on his talent and contributions but also just honoring and respecting those who have come before us and given back to the city,” Oakland City Councilman Noel Gallo, who introduced the resolution on Tuesday (Dec. 6) to recognize Too $hort's contributions to the city with the name change, said.

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf's office endorsed the resolution, which describes his influence as extending to “every corner of modern music."

Born Todd Anthony Shaw, Too $hort's career has spanned over 40 years and helped define the Bay Area's distinctive hip-hop sound. He has released 22 studio albums.

"Life Is...Too Short," his fifth studio album released in 1988, made him an international star and went on to become his most successful effort to date. It has sold more than two million copies and is certified double-platinum.

Currently, Too $hort is a member of the West Coast rap supergroup Mount Westmore along with Snoop Dogg, E-40 and Ice Cube. The group's eponymously-named debut album drops on Friday. A movie inspired by "Freaky Tales" is also currently in development.