Entertainment
Rapper Black Rob dies aged 51 as tributes pour in: ‘We will never forget you’
Rapper Black Rob has died aged 51, according to reports.
The I Dare You musician was hospitalised a week ago with kidney issues, but later revealed he was back home and recovering.
However Mark Curry is thought to have recorded a video confirming the news of his death.
‘I don’t know where to begin this but I thank everybody for the donations,’ he said in an emotional clip on social media.
‘Rob passed away about an hour ago.’
Mark ended the tearful clip by calling for his family to get in touch.
Black Rob’s cause of death has yet to be confirmed, with TMZ stating he was battling kidney failure ‘for some time’.
Fans were left worried about the star – real name Robert Ross – last week, when he shared a tribute to fellow musician DMX from his hospital bed.
While he didn’t reveal what he was getting treatment for, he thanked fans for their ‘prayers and concern’ in a string of posts on Instagram.
‘I wanted to let you know from myself that I’m good. I’m home now!’
Shortly before his death, the Woah! rapper opened up about his health issues in an Instagram Live session, reportedly telling fans: ‘Oh man, I’ve been dealing with this for five years.
“Four strokes … I don’t know what to tell you man. S**t is crazy. This s**t is hard. I don’t got no house to live in — except maybe an apartment.
‘Really, man. I need some rest. My side is killing me. Oh s**t. I don’t want to talk about it no more.’
Mark and Mike Zombie later created a GoFundMe to help pay for some of his medical bills.
‘This Gofundme is to help him find a home, pay for medical help & stability during these trying times,’ an entry said.
‘We’ve lost a lot legends and we can’t afford to lose anymore. This is my way to try and help.’
As of now, they have raised nearly $30,000 (£21k) of the $50,000 (£36k) target.
Fellow musician DJ Self led tributes on social media, with a black-and-white photo.
‘Lord knows I tried to get help …… I’m sad to say RIP to Black Rob …..,’ he penned. ‘Passed away in the hospital in Atlanta …..’
Mario Winans sharing his condolences on Instagram, posting a snap of the star.
He wrote: ‘This hit my heart……. we will NEVER forget you brother! RIP BLACK ROB!’
Paying tribute, New York promotor Van Silk told publication HipHopDX: ‘We’ve lost another member of our Hip Hop family.
‘Many may have been unaware that Black Rob has been sick over the years until Mark Curry posted the video from the hospital.
‘My memory of Black Rob was when he use to come by DJ Kay Slay’s studio to do the mixtapes. He was a someone who you would just wanna hang around with. May my brother Rest In Heaven.’
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