Eminem and Snoop Dogg have paid tribute to Def Jam pioneer Bo$$ following her death at the age of 54.
Bo$$ (real name Lichelle Marie Laws) was the first female rapper signed to Def Jam, with her one and only album Born Gangstaz released to success in 1993.
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While no cause of death has yet been released, Bo$$ was known to have struggled in the past with kidney failure.
Eminem was among those to pay tribute to the pioneering artist, taking to X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday (March 12) to his fellow Detroit native.
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“Bo$$ rep’d the D so well as a pioneer. Such a talented MC. RIP!!!” he wrote.
Snoop also mourned Bo$$’ passing after hearing the news, writing on Instagram: “Damn. My homegirl before I got on. In the d. Game.”
Bo$$ rep’d the D so well as a pioneer. Such a talented MC. RIP!!!
— Marshall Mathers (@Eminem) March 12, 2024
Bun B was the one who broke the tragic news earlier this week, posting on social media: “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!”
DJ Premier also left a heartfelt tribute to her: “Damn! R.I.P. BO$$. Condolences to your family… We did a dope ‘Deeper Rmx’ @defjam never released.
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“Back in 1993 she came to D & D and recut her vocals to my beat. It was so RAW. We had a good session drinking 40’s, puffin Lah and vibing.”
He concluded by asking people at her former label to help him release said song: “Can someone at Def Jam find that in the Vaults? I want a copy of that Remix. Sleep Peacefully Queen. Shit was mad real.”
Warren G also posted about the news as he wrote: “Rip Lichelle aka Bos one of the Dopest females to rap and was a good friend and label mate. #DefJam.”
Various other artists posted tributes to Bo$$ including Jermaine Dupri, Jadakiss, 9th Wonder, Ed Lover, Lloyd Banks and Slim Thug.
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After releasing her debut album in 1993, Bo$$ began recording her second but her efforts were rejected by Def Jam, who ultimately dropped her from the label.
Afterwards, she began hosting a Hip Hop radio show as her kidney failure worsened.
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She later resumed recording, landing two features on Krayzie Bone‘s album Thug on Da Line, while her music was also featured on TV shows such as Orange is the New Black and The Man Who Fell to Earth.
