Geto Boys rapper Bushwick Bill has passed away following a fight against pancreatic cancer. He was 52.
Despite his family denying reports of Bill's death earlier in the weekend after Geto Boys member Scarface inaccurately announced it via Instagram, Bill passed away Sunday (June 9) evening.
His publicist confirmed the news via Instagram last night.
Born Richard Stephen Shaw in Kingston, Jamaica, Bushwick Bill was raised in Brooklyn. He earned fame in Houston, however, after joining the Geto Boys as a dancer by the name of Little Billy. He eventually started rapping, appearing on the Geto Boys' 1988 debut album Making Trouble and becoming a mainstay in the group's ever-changing lineup.
Bill also released six solo albums throughout his career. The most recent one was 2010's My Testimony of Redemption, documenting his experience of becoming a born-again Christian.
The MC revealed his diagnosis of stage 4 pancreatic cancer in an interview last month. At the time, he said, "I figure keeping it to myself is not really helping nobody. And it's not like I'm afraid of dying, because if anyone knows anything about me from 'Ever So Clear,' you know, I died and came back again in June 1991."
That song appeared on his 1992 album Little Big Man and referenced a suicide attempt that left him without his right eye. The ensuing hospital visit also appeared on the cover of the Geto Boys 1991 album We Can't Be Stopped.
The Geto Boys recently scheduled a farewell tour, but cancelled the jaunt because Bill believed the promoters were exploiting his cancer diagnosis. Bushwick Bill was reportedly plotting solo dates for later this month, as well.
Many of Bill's peers and admirers have shared tributes to the rapper via social media. See some of them below.
Despite his family denying reports of Bill's death earlier in the weekend after Geto Boys member Scarface inaccurately announced it via Instagram, Bill passed away Sunday (June 9) evening.
His publicist confirmed the news via Instagram last night.
Born Richard Stephen Shaw in Kingston, Jamaica, Bushwick Bill was raised in Brooklyn. He earned fame in Houston, however, after joining the Geto Boys as a dancer by the name of Little Billy. He eventually started rapping, appearing on the Geto Boys' 1988 debut album Making Trouble and becoming a mainstay in the group's ever-changing lineup.
Bill also released six solo albums throughout his career. The most recent one was 2010's My Testimony of Redemption, documenting his experience of becoming a born-again Christian.
The MC revealed his diagnosis of stage 4 pancreatic cancer in an interview last month. At the time, he said, "I figure keeping it to myself is not really helping nobody. And it's not like I'm afraid of dying, because if anyone knows anything about me from 'Ever So Clear,' you know, I died and came back again in June 1991."
That song appeared on his 1992 album Little Big Man and referenced a suicide attempt that left him without his right eye. The ensuing hospital visit also appeared on the cover of the Geto Boys 1991 album We Can't Be Stopped.
The Geto Boys recently scheduled a farewell tour, but cancelled the jaunt because Bill believed the promoters were exploiting his cancer diagnosis. Bushwick Bill was reportedly plotting solo dates for later this month, as well.
Many of Bill's peers and admirers have shared tributes to the rapper via social media. See some of them below.
R.I.P...... BUSHWICK BILL... YOU WILL BE MISSED.... pic.twitter.com/IMnuPJC7wL
— BIZ MARKIE (@BizMarkie) June 10, 2019
#RIP Bushwick Bill. Geto Boys 4 Life!!!! https://t.co/LzHMbvPro3
— Charlamagne Tha God (@cthagod) June 9, 2019
R.I.P. the Legend Bushwick Bill 🙏🏿 prayers up for his family pic.twitter.com/807KVtwzmY
— juicy j (@therealjuicyj) June 9, 2019
The family of Bushwick Bill has now confirmed that the Geto Boy has passed away. Rest In Peace 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/vXzAN1VSu0
— Cypress Hill ™ (@cypresshill) June 10, 2019
"SIZE AINT S^*T!!!"
— Questlove De La Rose (@questlove) June 9, 2019
- the legendary #BushwickBill rip #GetoBoys @ Fifth Ward, Houston https://t.co/1m3GOGyRTU
Rest In Peace #BushwickBill. Geto Boys album The Ressurection one of my all time favorites.
— Tom Morello (@tmorello) June 9, 2019