Rap icon Craig Mack passes on
Former rapper Craig Mack, best known for the platinum 1994 hit “Flava in Ya Ear” past on in South Carolina on Monday night.
Following the death of 90’s hip-hop star, fellow Bad Boy rappers and East Coast MC’s and DJs have taken to social media to show love.
The Long Island, New York, native helped launch Diddy’s Bad Boy Entertainment with his first album, “Project: Funk da World.”
It was anchored by “Flava in Ya Ear,” which was nominated for a Grammy.
The remix also included LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes and the then up-and-coming Biggie Smalls. His follow-up single, “Get Down” went gold.
Mack was briefly a star when he was signed to P. Diddy’s Bad Boy Entertainment in the early 90’s.
After Mack left Diddy, he released a second album, “Operation: Get Down” in 1997 but left the music industry and devoted his life to religion.
After news traveled of his death, the rapper was remembered by artists ranging from Questlove to Lin-Miranda Manuel.
Prominent members of the hip-hop community have since taken to Twitter and Instagram to share a few kind words in memory of their friend and colleague.
Craig Mack, you were the first artist to release music on Bad Boy and gave us our first hit. You always followed your heart and you had an energy that was out of this world. You believed in me and you believed in Bad Boy. I will never forget what you did for hip-hop. pic.twitter.com/qvnxRTcdXv
— Diddy (@Diddy) March 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/intent/like?tweet_id=973511732864761856
#CraigMack killed the 90s with 1 song and 1 remix. ??. Untouchable. RIP.
— M.I.A (@MIAuniverse) March 13, 2018
I’m so saddened to get a text about Craig Mack? I am grateful to have worked with him on this song on the Dangerous Minds soundtrack & he was so kind funny & Talented ?? Rest peacefully Craig?? https://t.co/RJy4bqdeP1
— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) March 13, 2018
View this post on InstagramRest In Peace! Good brother… #CraigMack …. Alvin Toney love my brother…
A post shared by FunkFlex (@funkflex) on
View this post on InstagramR.I.P TO MY MAIN MAN CRAIG MACK ANOTHER GREAT ONE GONE….
A post shared by Biz Markie (@officialbizmarkie) on
Sorry to hear Craig Mack is no longer with us. #RIPCraigMack. Gonna listen to #FlavaInYourEar right now. Man 47 too young.
— Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) March 13, 2018