5 Hip-Hop acts who have passed away from health issues

Yesterday (Wednesday, March 23, 2016)

The 45-year-old rapper died as a result of complications from diabetes. Phife Dawg (

The global Hip-Hop community has been mourning the death of one of the culture’s legends.

“Our hearts are heavy. We are devastated. This is something we weren’t prepared for although we all know that life is fleeting” wrote Phife Dawg’s rhyme partner Q-Tip on his Instagram today (Thursday, March 24, 2016).

“It was no secret about his health and his fight. But the fight for his joy and happiness gave him everything he needed. The fight to keep his family happy, his soul happy and those around him happy, gave him complete and unadulterated joy… until he heeded his father’s call” he further wrote.

Today we have created a list of 5 Hip-Hop stars who have died as a result of illness, and heart attacks also.

1) Nate Dogg

The West coast singer is regarded as the best hook master of all time in Hip-Hop music. Nate Dogg died on March 15, 2011. He passed away from complications of multiple strokes. Nate Dogg had his first stroke in 2007. The following year he had another stroke. He died at the age of 41.

2) Heavy D

The rapper who had several hit records in the 80’s and 90’s died on November 8, 2011. His death was a sudden shock to the Hip Hop community. After his autopsy it was discovered that he died as a result of pulmonary embolism which was most likely caused by Heavy D’s recent airplane trip from Cardiff.

3) Big Pun

Rap legend Big Pun died of a heart attack on February 7, 2000. It was said that Big Pun was at his highest weight when he died. The rapper battled weight issues when he was alive and had the condition known as sleep apnea.

4) Guru

The Gang Starr rapper died of cancer on April 19, 2010. He died at the age of 48 after he went into cardiac arrest following a surgery.

5) Adam Yauch

The Beastie Boys MC was diagnosed of cancerous parotid gland and a lymph node in 2009. Despite radiation and therapy including going vegan Adam Yauch passed away on May 4, 2012 at the age of 47.