'Whoa!' Rapper Black Rob Dead At 51 — LL Cool J, Q-Tip, More Pay Tribute
Rapper Black Rob, who was born Robert Ross, has passed away at age 51.
The news was confirmed by Mark Curry, who posted a tearful video update on Instagram on Saturday, April 17.
"Rob passed away about an hour ago," Curry said in the emotional video and asked for Ross' children to contact him.
"Rest in peace to my brother. I was there with him. I was there with him," Curry said in another video.
Ross' former label mate also thanked the fans for their donations. His passing comes after Curry and Mike Zombie set up a GoFundMe last week "to help him find a home, pay for medical help & stability during these trying times."
"We’ve lost a lot legends and we can’t afford to lose anymore," the fundraiser, which raised more than $29,000 of its $50,000 goal, read. Another fundraiser was then set up to cover Ross' "funeral service, family, and other expenses."
Ross sparked concern after he paid tribute to DMX, who was battling his own health issues, from a hospital bed. Another video, posted to DJ Self's account, saw Ross speaking about the multiple issues he's been facing.
"I’ve been dealing with this for five years. Damn. Four strokes, I don’t know what to tell you. This s**t is crazy, this s**t is hard. I don’t have no house to live in," Ross previously shared in a video shared by DJ Self. "I need some rest man."
Ross was best known for his 2000 hit "Whoa!," which hit the Billboard Hot 100. As part of Sean "Diddy" Combs’ Bad Boy label, he also was featured on Diddy's "Bad Boy 4 Life" with Curry and joined Diddy's Bad Boy Family Reunion Tour in 2016.
Ross' cause of death was not confirmed, but DJ Self previously disclosed that he had been suffering from kidney issues.
Scroll down to see the reactions:
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DJ Self
"Lord knows i tried to get help ...... I’m sad to say RIP to Black Rob ..... Passed away in the hospital in Atlanta," pal DJ Self wrote.
LL Cool J
"A story teller. An MC. a gentleman every time I saw him," rapper LL Cool J described Ross.
Q-Tip
Rapper Q-Tip lamented the "sad news this week."
Cromega
Rapper Cormega said that Ross "had a clean heart in a dirty game."
