R.I.P. Sean Price

Mike Lawrie/Getty

R.I.P. Sean Price

Mike Lawrie/Getty

Rapper Sean Price, a veteran of the New York underground hip-hop scene and a member of Heltah Skeltah, Boot Camp Clik, and Random Axe, died this morning, as The Source reports. He was 43 years old.

“It is with beyond a heavy heart that Duck Down Music is sadly confirming that Sean Price passed away early this morning in his Brooklyn apartment, Saturday, August 8th, 2015,” a representative for Price said in a statement. “The cause of death is currently unknown, but it was reported that he died in his sleep. He’s survived by his wife, and his three children … Sean’s family and friends are asking for time to grieve and process the news. Further details will be issued when more information is available.”

Price began his career under the moniker Ruck, forming the duo Heltah Skeltah with fellow Brownsville, Brooklyn rapper Jahmal Bush, aka Rock. They released their debut album, Nocturnal, in 1996. Both were also members of the hip-hop collective Boot Camp Clik alongside Black Moon’s Buckshot, Smif-N-Wessun’s Tek and Steele, and the trio O.G.C.

Although he continued to release music with both groups, Sean Price began a solo career in 2005 with Monkey Barz, dropping the pseudonym Ruck in favor of his birth name. He released his last solo album, Mic Tyson, in 2012, and he was slated to release the new mixtape Songs In The Key Of Price later this month.

R.I.P. Ruck….Love and Respect to The Duck Down Family!!! #SeanPrice

A photo posted by @djpremier on

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