Rapper Black Rob passed away yesterday. The 51-year-old musician was best known for his work with Diddy’s Bad Boy Records.
Fans and former labelmates have taken to social media to mourn Rob after TMZ reported that Rob had passed away following a long-running battle with kidney failure and had also suffered a series of strokes that began in 2015.
According to reports, Rob was reportedly homeless when he was discharged from a hospital in Atlanta on April 11. A GoFundMe page was started to help him “find a home and pay for medical help & stability.”
The news of his death was confirmed by Rob's manager, Kal Dawson.
Black Rob is perhaps best known for his 2000 hit, “Whoa!” All up, he released four studio albums; Life Story (2000), The Black Rob Report (2005), Game Tested, Streets Approved (2011) and Genuine Article (2015). He also featured on albums by Cru, Ol Dirty Bastard, Channel Live, The Madd Rapper, Benzino, Tony Touch.
Robert Ross grew up in East Harlem. By 22, he had begun performing with the Schizophrenics, under the stage name “Bacardi Rob.” In 1996 Rob became involved with the Bad Boy label, appearing on a remix to 112’s “Come See Me.” He remained with Bad Boy until 2010 when he signed to the independent label, Down Duck Records, before forming his own label, Box and One, with Jemal Mosley.
Rob's frequent collaborator, Mark Curry, also shared a tearful message on Twitter.
Scroll down to read more tributes from fans and fellow label mates, including DJ Self, below.
