Rapper Black Rob, best known for his song “Whoa!” and his affiliation with P. Diddy’s Bad Boy Records, died Saturday, according to several reports. He was 51.
The death of the singer, born Robert Ross in New York City in 1969, was confirmed by several of his friends and former collaborators, including rapper Mark Curry and singer/producer Mario Winans, New Musical Express reported.
Curry revealed Black Rob’s death in a video he posted Saturday on Twitter.
Mark Curry has revealed that former Bad Boy recording artist Black Rob has passed away.#RIPBlackRob pic.twitter.com/VGnC5wLGMM
— Versey (@VerseyMusic) April 17, 2021
“I don’t where to begin,” Curry said in the video. “Rob passed away.”
TMZ also reported the rapper’s death.
Last week, DJ Self shared a video on Instagram, in which Rob said he was homeless and battling health issues, including kidney failure, New Musical Express reported.
“Oh man, I’ve been dealing with this for five years. Four strokes … I don’t know what to tell you, man,” Rob said in the video. “I don’t got no house to live in -- except maybe an apartment. Me and my man be trying to get together. I’m telling you man, this (expletive) is strange. It’s hard, you know what I’m saying?”
Born July 12, 1969, Rob began his career using the nickname Bacardi Rob, New Musical Express reported. He belonged to the rap group the Schizophrenics before joining Diddy’s Bad Boy Records in the mid-1990s.
In 2000, Rob released his debut album, “Life Story,” which included the hip-hop anthem, “Whoa!” The album also included “I Love You Baby” and “Spanish Fly,” a collaboration with Jennifer Lopez.
The album was certified platinum by the RIAA, according to New Musical Express.
He released his second album, “The Black Rob Report,” in 2005, the magazine reported. That was followed by the albums “Game Tested, Streets Approved” in 2011 and “Genuine Article” in 2015.
Cox Media Group
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