Bo$$, best known as the first female MC signed to Def Jam Recordings, has reportedly passed away.
On Monday (March 11), Bun B took to Instagram to share the unfortunate news while paying tribute to the departed in a heartfelt post.
Next to an image of the Detroit native, who was 54 years old at the time of her passing, he wrote: “Rest in peace to my big sis Lichelle Laws AKA Boss. One of the best female MCs and a dear friend. Give Rick Royal a hug for me. Long Live The Org!”
Jermaine Dupri, Jadakiss, 9th Wonder, Ed Lover, Lloyd Banks and Slim Thug were among the many people who paid their respects under the UGK spitter’s social media share.
Soon after, DJ Premier posted his own homage to his peer and wrote: “Damn! R.I.P. BO$$. Condolences to your family… We did a dope “Deeper Rmx” @defjam never released.
“Back in 1993 she came to D & D and recut her vocals to my beat. It was so RAW. We had a good session drinking 40’s, puffin Lah and vibing.”
He concluded by asking people at the label to help him release said joint and added: “Can someone at Def Jam find that in the Vaults? I want a copy of that Remix. Sleep Peacefully Queen. Shit was mad real.”
DJ Battlecat also expressed his sorrow on social media soon after the news began spreading, sharing a montage of the late rapper.
“I HATE POSTING BUT PEOPLE GOT TO KNOW WHO SHE WAS FROM DETRIOT VERY OWN FIRST FIRE INCREDIBLE M.C. BO$$ TO COME OUT AND SET THE TONE WITH GANSTA RAP IN A LYRICAL HEART FELT WAY,” he wrote.
“REST IN DETROIT QUEEN & THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING ! @dolldetroit FOR BEING BY HER SIDE WHEN WE ALL FIRST MET IN 1993 IN GARAGE STUDIO WOW.”
Warren G was also distraught by the news, as he shared: “Rip Lichelle aka Bos one of the Dopest females to rap and was a good friend and label mate. #DefJam.”
Born and raised in Detroit, Bo$$ moved to Los Angeles after graduating from high school and immediately began making waves in the local scene. Soon after she was discovered by one of DJ Quik‘s associates, Russell Simmons heard about her and signed her to Def Jam’s West Coast branch.
In 1993, She released her only studio album, Born Gangstaz. With hits such as “Recipe of a Hoe,” “I Don’t Give a Fuck,” “Deeper,” “Progress of Elimination” and “Mai Sista Izza Bitch,” the LP went on to reach No. 22 on the Billboard 200 tally and No. 3 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
It is also worth noting that the album was produced by a number of all-star beatmakers such as Jam Master Jay, MC Serch and Erick Sermon, among others. Additionally, it featured cameos by Onyx, Admiral D, Papa Juggy and more.
Though a cause of death has not yet been revealed, Bo$$ had been struggling with health-related issues in the years leading up to her untimely passing.
According to a GoFundMe page set up in 2021, she was suffering from renal disease, which rendered her kidneys useless for processing toxins in her body. In 2017, she suffered a major stroke and seizure, following which she was in desperate need of a kidney transplant.
“We are now trying to see if the family can get a specialized procedure for her,” the campaign’s description reads. “The procedure is costly and we wanted to reach out to her extended family, her friends and fans, to ask for assistance with helping her to be blessed with this procedure to help her to get back to her health. The funds are needed as soon as possible to set her up for the procedure.
“After this procedure she will be on the kidney list for a transplant from a donor, once we receive one. We are humbly requesting your help family. Please give whatever you can. We are grateful for anything that you can do.”
HipHopDX sends its condolences to Bo$$’s family and friends.
RIP. Deeper is a great song.
She’s been in poor health for a long time. RIP.
46? Born in 1969…how?
Thank you!!! I was coming here to say the same thing
she was 54 they made a mistake
R.I.P. BO$$ (Born Gangstaz got heavy rotation in my decks) but Nikki D was Def Jam’s first female rapper.
RIP Bo$$, may she rest peacefully but Def Jam’s first female rapper was Nikki D.
Damn they really botched this article. Disrespectful.
She was the first female that Russ signed to Def Jam West….. Not Def Jam
I will like to send my condolences to the family of boss. You are a angel and I will miss your flow and smile . God has you now . Pray to the family. May God bless u
The subject matter on Recipe of a Hoe was ahead of its time #rip. She wasn’t afraid to tell you that the rap game was a business and her rap persona was an act. Real
She is not 46 she is 54 years old… She was born in 1969
RIP
No doubt Top 5 album ever from a female MC. I wish she put out more albums after that. Whiny fucks were comin at her were comin at her for being a studio gangsta when like 90% of rappers werent about the life they rapped about.
The irony is she outed herself as a studio gangster with the intro on her own album.
She was 55
She was 54.. rest easy big sis 🙏🏾
R..I.P Boss!! And Nicki D is Def Jam’s First Female Emcee!! Yall need to get your Facts Straight!!!
Def Jam West. Not Def Jam.
Rest in Paradise Bo$$
RIP. She was one of the best female rappers.
Her and Champ MC, underrated female artists from the 90’s era
Bo$$ passed away? I don’t give a f###, not a single f###, not a single solitary f### coz I don’t give a f### muthaf###er! IYKYK. First solo female rapper album I ever bought and it went hard. She was legit, not a gimmick. Rest in Peace, and condolences to her loved ones.
She was 54 Asshole
She was 54 Asshole.
She was 54.
All these rappers giving condolences are fake AF, when she needed money for a kidney procedure, the rap community was silent and mute.
All these rappers giving condolences are fake AF, when she needed money for a kidney procedure, the rap community was silent and mute.
Nikki Dee was 1st female on Def Jam
I loved the intro on Born Gangstaz from her mom essentially calling her out for being a fake gangster going to private school, being a tap dancer, piano player, then attending college….. followed by the next song about how she’s shooting people and selling drugs.
R.i.p boss 🙌 😎 I grew up in 90s so I don’t miss a beat I remember you
Throw back pictures cover art creep the hell out of me. But, RIP
Boss wuz not her name, it was the groups name. If y’all noticed on her album bits another female in the group wiff her.
Michelle told Fab 5 Freddy that it stands for:
B-itches
O-n
S-ome
S-hit
Damn that vaxxine ain’t no joke.
Rest.✊🏽🙏🏽🕊️
Damn. She was dope back in the day. Maybe all the liquor n weed took a toll on her early. And what happened to rapper Choice from Rap A Lot records?
Damn. She was dope back in the day. Maybe all the liquor n weed took a toll on her early. And what happened to rapper Choice from Rap A Lot records?
Btw shame on the industry. They knew about her condition and did nothing. Maybe money would’ve helped, maybe an instragram post. You are brothers and sisters like Kane and Abel. So fuck y’all.
Nikki D was the First Female MC on Def Jam.
Get ya facts right
Nikki D was the First Female MC on Def Jam.
Get ya facts right
Irresponsible and lazy journalism. Nikki D was the first females signed to Def Jam. Boss came after. She was signed to Def Jam West. Please don’t rewrite history and print a correction