Amidst holiday celebrations, Hip Hop mourned the death of George Michael today (December 25) as the legendary singer passed away at his home in Oxfordshire, England.
“It is with great sadness that we can confirm our beloved son, brother and friend George passed away peacefully at home over the Christmas period,” his publicist Connie Filippello said in a statement to the New York Times.
Michael was a member of the duo Wham! with Andrew Ridgeley throughout the 1980s and embarked on a solo career after. He became a pop culture icon for his artistry and vibrant stage presence.
Much of his music inspired those in the Hip Hop community. His 1984 song “Careless Whisper” was sampled on songs featuring Nas, Outkast and Silkk the Shocker and Future used it on his 2014 song “Rock Star” with Nicki Minaj. Freddie Gibbs sampled 2004’s “Amazing” in his 2015 track “Careless.”
This caps off a year where many legends, including Prince, David Bowie and Phife Dawg passed away.
Check out the tracks below as well as tributes to George Michael from El-P, Talib Kweli, DJ Premier, MC Hammer, Q-Tip and 9th Wonder.
Wham was pretty damn good at the time, he had a few solo bangers as well.
Key will be devastated
RIP he really paved the way for gays and bisexuals like myself.
You’re not gay or bisexual if you dream of sucking King Hov’s dick. Broke Nas stans don’t get it.
FAITH is a dope ass album. I still bump it today. RIP.
RIP To a legend.
2016 was the worst… in every aspect. We lost too many… i just hope 2017 is a better year.
Yeah great start would be if we lose Drake, Bieber and Kanye to make up for 2016
Man! Last Christmas is one of the holiday’s biggest songs and he died on Christmas? Man, RIP!
LEGEND, PERIOD!!!
Ain’t none of these people mention him when he was still alive.. Just like with David Bowie and Prince etc..
Damn he died on the 10th anniversary of james browns passing. Coincidence or not?