Ty — the U.K. rapper who received a Mercury Prize nomination his 2003 album Upwards — has died. The artist's team confirmed his passing today, revealing Ty died after contracting COVID-19. He was 47.
In early April, a fundraiser was set up for the rapper, born Ben Chijioke, after he was "admitted into the hospital with medical complications related to COVID-19. Shortly after, he was put in a medically induced coma to temporarily sedate to help his body receive the appropriate treatment."
Ty's condition then reportedly improved, with the artist being moved out of intensive care in mid-April. However, his passing was confirmed to the media today.
Ty's 2003 sophomore effort Upwards earned him a nod for the prestigious Mercury Prize in 2004, with the rapper going up against the likes of Amy Winehouse, Snow Patrol and Franz Ferdinand, the latter of whom eventually won the award.
After Upwards, Ty returned in 2006 with his album Closer, which featured the such artists as De La Soul, Taylor McFerrin and Arrested Development's Speech.
Ty's final solo album, A Work of Heart, arrived in 2018, though last year he joined the KingDem project alongside fellow U.K. MCs Rodney P and Blak Twang.
In early April, a fundraiser was set up for the rapper, born Ben Chijioke, after he was "admitted into the hospital with medical complications related to COVID-19. Shortly after, he was put in a medically induced coma to temporarily sedate to help his body receive the appropriate treatment."
Ty's condition then reportedly improved, with the artist being moved out of intensive care in mid-April. However, his passing was confirmed to the media today.
Ty's 2003 sophomore effort Upwards earned him a nod for the prestigious Mercury Prize in 2004, with the rapper going up against the likes of Amy Winehouse, Snow Patrol and Franz Ferdinand, the latter of whom eventually won the award.
After Upwards, Ty returned in 2006 with his album Closer, which featured the such artists as De La Soul, Taylor McFerrin and Arrested Development's Speech.
Ty's final solo album, A Work of Heart, arrived in 2018, though last year he joined the KingDem project alongside fellow U.K. MCs Rodney P and Blak Twang.