Brownsville Rapper Ka Passed Away

The veteran MC and producer from Brownsville, Brooklyn, Ka passed away at age 52. The man born Kaseem Ryan had been recording and releasing music since the 1990s, including his tenure with the Hip-Hop collective Natural Elements. In 2008, the same year he appeared on GZA’s “Pro Tools” album, Ka began self-releasing albums that garnered high-profile critical acclaim and media attention.

His catalog, including “Grief Pedigree”, “Orpheus Vs. The Sirens”, and this year’s “The Thief Next To Jesus” influenced the conversational, aphorism-filled rap style and sparse production across much of the modern Hip-Hop landscape. Ka was a frequent collaborator of Roc Marciano and producer Preservation. In addition to his music career, Ka was a decorated FDNY Captain, firefighter, and first responder on September 11, 2001. Like many working artists, he balanced careers and a family, including marriage to Hip-Hop media veteran Mimi Valdes.

May he rest in peace.

(Via Ambrosia For Heads)