American rapper Black Rob has died aged 51, according to close friends.
The rap legend has been battling health issues including kidney failure and living on the streets.
Rob – born Robert Ross – was best known for his hit single Whoa! in 2000, which reached the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
His friend Mark Curry confirmed in a statement: “I don’t know where to begin this but i thank everybody for the donations. Rob passed away about an hour ago.”
He tearfully begged Rob’s children to get in touch with him as he shared the heartbreaking message.
Rob recently revealed he didn’t have anywhere to live, a claim later confirmed by fellow musician DJ Self, as he said: “Oh man, I’ve been dealing with this for five years. Four strokes … I don’t know what to tell you man. S*** is crazy. The s*** is hard.
“I don’t got no house to live in — except maybe an apartment. Me and my man be trying to get together. I’m telling you man, this s*** is strange. It’s hard, you know what I’m saying?”
(Image: Getty Images North America)
A video posted to social media after the death of rapper DMX also recently surfaced, showing Black Rob in a hospital bed.
He shared his condolences to DMX’s family after hearing of his death.
“I feel everything about X,” he said in the clip. “X was positive. Love to X.”
However, it was confirmed that he’d been released from hospital on April 11, with friend Mark Curry explaining: “It’s overwhelming to hear how many people care about our legends but he just got discharged from the hospital.
(Image: NY Daily News via Getty Images)
“This is something that Rob’s been going through.”
Rob suffered a stroke back in 2015, though it was later revealed that within the last five years Rob suffered four strokes – likely due to high blood pressure.
He told Sway In The Morning about the aftermath of the first incident: “Lately, I had high blood pressure,” Rob explained at the time. “Being that I have that, that takes a lot out of a brother. Going on tour, you don’t even know. This is a real serious… I had a stroke. Yeah, I had a stroke… and ummm, I got over that.
“It’s been high blood pressure and trying to stay on top of this thing.”
He continued: “I had to change my health regimen and how I eat. That’s it. I’m exercising and trying to keep it up. I don’t drink no more. That right there was telling me that I had to stop.”
The entertainer grew up in East Harlem and began rapping when he was aged just 11, eventually signing with the Bad Boy label in 1996.
His last release was Genuine Article back in 2015.
In 2006, Black Rob was sentenced to more than seven years in prison for failing to appear in court for sentencing over a grand larceny charge.
He had pleaded guilty to criminal possession of more than $6,000 worth of stolen jewellery.
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The entertainer was eventually released from prison in 2010.
Fans have been paying tribute to the rap legend on social media, with one tweeting: “Whoa! Is one of my all time favourite tunes man! Pure memories bumping that, and the Life Story album! RIP Black Rob.”
Another wrote: “Rest in Power Black Rob. You’re no longer in any pain on this Earth. Thank you for all the entertaining music you put out.”
And someone else shared: “Rest In Peace to the incredible Black Rob, one of the nicest and [most] down to earth artist ever.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
