Westside Gunn and Roc Marciano are among those to pay tribute to underground rap legend Ka following his sudden death at the age of 52.

Ka (real name Kaseem Ryan) passed away on October 12, it was announced on Monday (October 14) via a statement on his Instagram page. A cause of death is not yet known.

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Following the tragic news, many of Ka’s collaborators and admirers came out to pay tribute to the critically acclaimed MC.

Westside Gunn posted a photo of the Brooklyn native on X (formerly Twitter) and wrote: “ALWAYS LOVE AND RESPECT [open palms emoji] LEGEND @BrownsvilleKa #RIP [dove emoji].”

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Roc Marciano, a frequent collaborator of Ka’s, penned a lengthy tribute on Instagram that said: “I’m grateful to call you my brother, a big brother at that!!! many times I’d refer to you as 1 of my guardian angel’s and you’d have that grin as if you were fully aware of that fact. The pain im feeling for your beautiful wife and family I can’t put into words.

“I don’t wanna post this but I feel a responsibility to let ppl know the MAN Kaseem Ryan was the strongest brother I knew, he was a giver and a big part of my development as man myself, and you did that for so many, but that’s just part of the package that comes with having ka as a friend. I’ve learned so much from you and still am till this day.”

He concluded: “I wanna thank you again for everything you’ve done for me as a person brother. I love you and Im gonna miss us talking basketball and how u could make my son laugh he really loved you too. Till we meet again brother the other half of Metal clergy rest easy brother you did this living thing the best.”

The Alchemist added: “I always called him a living PROPHET because thats what he was to us. Me and Roc always said when KA rapped it was like he was delivering his words from the top of a mountain off a stone tablet. The truest man and artist i have ever been lucky enough to cross paths with.

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“There is so much i want to say. It was an honor to call you a friend and comrade. Thanks Roc for connecting us. KA, you made all of us better. My condolences to the family. Rest easy Kaseem Ryan aka BROWNSVILLE KA . Till we meet again.”

Questlove added in his own tribute: “I hate that sometimes it takes someone transitioning this plane before one starts to absorb their art. Rest in Power Ka.”

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Fellow Brooklyn native and underground kingpin El-P said on X: “If i seem like i’m at a loss for words its because Ka took all the good words with him.”

Tributes also poured in from the likes of Pete Rock, Evidence, Rome Streetz, Griselda beatmaker Daringer and Nickelus F.

Known for his introspective lyricism, vivid and conceptual storytelling and a monk-like approach to ducking the limelight and letting his music do the talking, Ka released over a dozen projects since 2008, including the critically acclaimed Grief Pedigree, The Night’s Gambit and Days with Dr. Yen Lo.

His most recent, The Thief Next to Jesus, arrived in August, just weeks before his untimely death.

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Ka was an especially remarkable figure due to the fact that outside of his revered rap career he was a long-serving firefighter in New York City and even played a part in the rescue efforts following the Twin Tower attacks on September 11, 2001.

“He leaves an extraordinary legacy as a recording artist, including eleven remarkable self-released solo albums,” read the statement announcing his death.

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“Ka is survived by his wife, mother and sister. We kindly ask that the privacy of Ka’s family and loved ones be respected as they grieve this incalculable loss.”

HipHopDX sends its condolences to Ka’s family, friends and fans.