The Year in Music 2022: Sudden losses rock the hip-hop world

Written by ABC Audio. All rights reserved. on December 30, 2022

The hip-hop world suffered some devastating losses in 2022, the most high profile of which was the death of Migos rapper Takeoff.

Takeoff, born Kirshnik Khari Ball, was fatally shot at 810 Billiards & Bowling in Houston on November 1. He was 28.

Fans and fellow artists, including his bandmates Quavo and Offset, and Offset’s wife, Cardi B, were left reeling from the loss and paid tribute to him on social media. Thousands gathered at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, to pay their respects at a public memorial on November 11.

In December, a suspect was arrested and charged with his murder.

Here are some of the other artists we mourned this year:

Coolio – The Grammy-winning rapper, record producer and actor best known for his 1995 hit “Gangsta’s Paradise” died September 28 at the age of 59. A cause of death for the artist, born Artis Leon Ivey Jr., has not yet been revealed.

PnB Rock – The up-and-coming rapper, born Rakim Hasheem Allen, was fatally shot on September 12 during a robbery at Roscoe’s Chicken & Waffles in South Los Angeles. He was 30 years old.

B. Smyth – The R&B singer died November 17 of “respiratory failure after a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis,” according to his brother. Born Brandon Smith, he was known for his 2014 song “Twerkaholic” and his 2012 collab with 2 Chainz, “Leggo.”

JayDaYoungan – The Louisiana rapper, born Javorius Scott, was shot and killed in July in his hometown of Bogalusa, police confirmed in a Facebook post. He was 24.

Trouble – The Atlanta rapper was shot and killed in a domestic situation in June. The artist, born Mariel Semonte Orr, was 34.

Jesse Powell – The R&B singer and Grammy nominee passed away peacefully at his Los Angeles home in September. He was 51. His cause of death was not revealed.

DJ Kay Slay – The legendary New York DJ, born Keith Grayson, died in April after a monthslong battle with COVID-19. He was 55.