Wu-Tang Clan has suffered a major loss. According to several social media posts from Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, U-God, GZA and Young Dirty Bastard, the group’s mentor Popa Wu has passed away.

On Monday (December 16), The Chef shared a photo of his longtime friend to his Instagram page with the caption, “Can’t believe your gone!!! This hurts. #PAPAWU #restinpeacegreatone.” [apple_news_ad type=”any”]

Meanwhile, Ghostface Killah shared an Instagram photo of himself with Popa Wu and the caption, “REST IN PARADISE MY BROTHER @popawu7 FOREVER TELL DIRT WE LOVE AND MISS HIM .. ALL PRAISES DO TO THE MOST HIGH #poppawuforever #wutangforever #ghostfacemusic #ghostfacekillahs #theodoreunit #wutang #wutangclan.”

GZA and U-God echoed those sentiments with individual Instagram posts of their own.

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“R.I.P. Popa Wu,” GZA wrote, while U-God said, “RIP to the one and only PAPA WU my sincerest condolences go out to the entire family.” He included a link to Ghostface Killah’s “Black Jesus,” which features Popa Wu, U-God and Rae.

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R.I.P. Popa Wu.

A post shared by GZA (@therealgza) on

Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s son YDB commemorated Popa Wu in an Instagram video as well, stating “a powerful brother — by the name of Popa Wu — traveled home back to the essence.” He also talked about the important role Popa Wu played in his life.

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“Your name will live through all the babies,” he says. “I got a lot of emotions right now so it’s hard to speak but Popa Wu is a lot to me. Peace king.”

Popa Wu is the father of Wu-offshoots ShaCronz and Free Murda. He’s also an expert on the philosophy of the Five Percent Nation and can be heard giving teachings on numerous Wu-Tang members’ tracks, including Raekwon’s “North Star” and Ghostface Killah’s “All That I Got Is You.”

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He released two compilation albums featuring contributions from several Wu-affiliated artists: 2000’s Visions Of The 10th Chamber and 2008’s Visions Of The 10th Chamber II. 

HipHopDX sends our condolences to Popa Wu’s family.