3 days ago
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Saafir The Saucee Nomad has died.
The legendary West Coast rapper, born Reggie Gibson, passed away on Tuesday morning at 54 years old. Saafir’s former Golden State Warriors groupmate Xzibit confirmed his passing through an Instagram post.
“I can’t believe I’m writing this right now, but don’t know what else to do at the moment. Approximately at 8:45am this morning, my brother Reggie known to the world as Saafir passed away,” wrote the 50-year-old rapper. “We have so much history I can’t even explain what I’m feeling right now. We surrounded him and let him know how much we loved him. He can rest now.”
He continued, “Friends, Family, everyone that rocked with us from the Hip Hop community, if you could be so solid and reach out for @chopblack his younger brother, and @lilsaafir his son, the family really needs to be supported during this time. That’s all I have right now. My soul is crushed. We love you Bro.”
A source told TMZ that Saafir, who had been living with a number of health issues for years, died in his hometown of Oakland. The rapper reportedly had a cancerous tumor removed from his spine and eventually began using a wheelchair. His cause of death was not reported.
As explained by Rock the Bells’ Joy Quan, Saafir, was a member of The Golden State Warriors (or Golden State Project), a hip-hop collective with Ras Kass and Xzibit. The group gained a dedicated following in the Bay Area hip-hop scene in the late 90’s.
Saafir was also once 2Pac’s roommate and a dancer for Digital Underground. He appeared on their 1993 album The Body Hat Syndrome and acted in the film Menace II Society that same year. His debut solo album, Boxcar Sessions, was released in 1994 under Quincy Jones’ Qwest Records label.
In 2015, Complex named Saafir one of the Most Underappreciated Hip-Hop Artists of the ‘90s.
RIP.
English (US) ·