Oakland star Saafir has died at 54.
The veteran West Coast rapper — actual identify Reggie Gibson — handed away at 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 19, in keeping with his former Golden State Undertaking groupmate Xzibit, who broke the information to followers.
“I can’t believe I’m writing this right now, but don’t know what else to do at the moment,” Xzibit, 50, wrote in his tribute submit on Instagram.
Calling Saafir his “brother,” the rapper struggled to precise his phrases.
“We have so much history I can’t even explain what I’m feeling right now,” Xzibit continued. “We surrounded him and let him know how much we loved him. He can rest now.”
The “My Name” rapper requested “everyone that rocked with us from the Hip Hop community” to be stable and attain out to Saafir’s youthful brother and son.
“The family really needs to be supported during this time,” Xzibit added. “That’s all I have right now. My soul is crushed.”
Ending his heartfelt submit, he wrote, “We love you Bro. REST IN POWER.”
Saafir’s reason behind dying has not been revealed, however he suffered a collection of well being issues over time. The rapper had a cancerous tumor faraway from his backbone and started utilizing a wheelchair, in keeping with TMZ.
Sources additionally advised the outlet that Saafir died in his hometown of Oakland, Calif.
Golden State Undertaking was a rap trio with Xzibit, Saafir and Ras Kass. The group was initially going to be referred to as The Golden State Warriors however allegedly obtained a stop and desist letter from the NBA group of the identical identify, which put a kibosh on their plans.
Saafir was additionally a part of Digital Underground, a rap group fashioned in 1987 with expertise like Tupac Shakur and Shock G, per Folks.
Saafir wasn’t only a rapper. He additionally appeared within the 1993 blockbuster “Menace II Society.” He performed Harold Lawson alongside Jada Pinkett Smith, Samuel L. Jackson and Larenz Tate.
Saafir was additionally featured on the movie’s soundtrack.
One yr later, he earned a serious document cope with the late Quincy Jones — who handed away earlier this month at 91 — and launched his debut album, “Boxcar Sessions.”
