Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage
Rapper Grand Daddy I.U., who was once signed under the record label Cold Chillin' Records and best known for his debut albumSmooth Assassin, has died. He was 54.
His representative,Raya, CEO of FNBG Recordsconfirmed the news to PEOPLE on Tuesday. She also posted a statement on her Instagram account, writing, “No, I am not okay. I’m devastated.”
“Anyone who really knows me knows how much pure love and respect I had for him and out of respect for him and his family, I’m staying quiet right now,” the statement read. “I do not need to post pictures nor stories to profess anything. I pray for a peaceful and easy transition.”
The late rapper’s longtime friend, hip-hop producerPete Rock, also posted a tribute on his Instagram, writing in the caption, “Grand Daddy I.U.died peacefully in his sleep😢😔.”
Grand Daddy I.U.’s cause of death has not yet been revealed. “The family is awaiting results from his autopsy,” his representative told PEOPLE.
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Grand Daddy I.U. went on to appear as a guest on several hip-hop albums in the 1990s including Big L’sLifestylez ov da Poor& Dangerousand Positive K’sThe Skills Dat Pay Da Bills.
After parting ways with Markie, he released his sophomore album,Lead Pipe, in 1994. Grand Daddy I.U. released his third album,Stick to the Script, in 2007. His latest single “Stay Fly” dropped in July 2021.
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“Rest in power King. HipHop was in your DNA.@granddaddy_iuThank You for your contribution.🙏🏾🕊,” he wrote in the caption.
source: people.com
