A hip hop legend has sadly died.
Samantha Lawrence has passed away aged 55 after battling cancer. Samantha and her sister Sandra made up the UK female rap duo Wee Papa Girl Rappers, who shot to fame in the late 1980s.
The talented sisters scored a number six in the UK singles chart in 1988 with their song Wee Rule. Samantha was known as TY Tim, and her older sister Sandra performed as Total S.
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Announcing Samantha’s passing, a statement from their family read: “It is with great sadness that we announce that beloved sister and mother Samantha Lawrence passed away on Sunday. Samantha, aka TY Tim, was known for her chart success with Wee Papa Girl Rappers, a hip-hop pop duo that she founded with her older sister Sandra Lawrence, aka Total S.”
(Image: PA)
DJ Dave Pearce, who worked with the duo, paid tribute to Samantha. He wrote: “Sam was part of a defining and groundbreaking era of trailblazing British female rappers who against the odds conquered the UK charts alongside the likes of Cookie Crew.
“It was a really exciting time for me and always a pleasure to work with them on my Radio London hip-hop show back in the day, their positive energy was infectious. Always keen to experiment, they fused dancehall with reggae with Wee Rule and stepped into the house arena courtesy of Kevin Saunderson’s remix of Heat It Up.
(Image: Gentle Look via Getty Images)
“Through her success, Sam will have inspired others to follow their dreams. I’m glad I had the chance to remind her of that recently. Thoughts with her sister Sandra and daughter KeeKee. Rest In Peace.”
Wee Papa Girl Rappers also reached number 21 on the UK Singles Chart in June 1988 with the song Heat it Up, featuring 2 Men and a Drum Machine. The pop duo, also inspired by reggae and dancehall, released two albums with Jive Records before breaking up in 1991.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
