James Laurence, one half of California production duo Friendzone has died. While few details surrounding his death have emerged as of press time, many of Laurence's musical peers have taken to social media to pay their respects.
Alongside Dylan Reznick, Laurence's work with Friendzone was instrumental in giving rise to the hazy sounds of cloud-rap, popularized in 2011 by the likes of A$AP Rocky and Main Attrakionz.
Friendzone produced the entirety of the 2015 Main Attrackionz LP 808s & Dark Grapes III, in addition to A$AP Rocky's "Fashion Killa" from Long.Live.A$AP. The duo also released their own full-length DX in 2013, and the EP While U Wait in 2015.
You can see a collection of tributes tweets below.
Alongside Dylan Reznick, Laurence's work with Friendzone was instrumental in giving rise to the hazy sounds of cloud-rap, popularized in 2011 by the likes of A$AP Rocky and Main Attrakionz.
Friendzone produced the entirety of the 2015 Main Attrackionz LP 808s & Dark Grapes III, in addition to A$AP Rocky's "Fashion Killa" from Long.Live.A$AP. The duo also released their own full-length DX in 2013, and the EP While U Wait in 2015.
You can see a collection of tributes tweets below.
heartbroken, RIP James Laurence, 1/2 of Friendzone.. meant so much to so many musicians and people everywhere💔💚 #greenova pic.twitter.com/9prcZBDuJU
— ryan (@ryanhemsworth) January 30, 2017
R.I.P. James Friendzone
— Local Action (@localactionrec) January 30, 2017
Total classic. pic.twitter.com/Asgc8WrPqW
I never got to meet james but @_FRIENDZONE had such an impact on the music I was making then & still am now. knowing from his friends what a
— Think i am unhacked (@rickyeatacid) January 30, 2017
Aside from Timbo, 40 and the Neptunes, @_FRIENDZONE set off a whole new world of production capabilities I never knew existed.
— Stricty (@strictface) January 30, 2017
RIP to James from Friendzone
— Clams Casino (@clammyclams) January 30, 2017
RIP james laurence
— definitely sad (@HowToDressWell) January 30, 2017
beautiful boy
never forget u man
listen to @_FRIENDZONE tonite in his honor & to soothe yourself https://t.co/WiwnbduU7U
Friendzone were a huge part of what was an exciting and original time in rap music.
— Himanshu Suri (@HIMANSHU) January 30, 2017