Educated Rapper (also known as EMD) of the classic Hip Hop group UTFO has passed away, according to former Geto Boys DJ Ready Red, Rahiem of the Furious Five, fellow UTFO member Mix Master Ice and legendary Bronx promoter Van Silk. He was 54.
The news was confirmed late Saturday (June 3) after the “Roxanne, Roxanne” MC had been taken to a Brooklyn hospital where he, unfortunately, did not pull through. Prior to his passing, Mix Master Ice, who was UTFO’s DJ, penned an emotional tribute via Facebook.
“This is a All Out Cry For Prayer,” Ice wrote. “I just got the ok from family to go viral.. As I hold his hand, I need everyone’s power in prayer to pray for one of my best friends since 1979 & hip hop partner, Jeffrey Campbell.. Known to our World Wide fans as: The Educated Rapper MD or EMD 1/4 of the U.T.F.O. crew, which stands for: ‘Untouchable Force Organization.’ * He is extremely ill and not doing well..Please help us pray for a Miracle Blessing..”
While details surrounding his passing are scarce, Van Silk, who is a self-professed “Hip Hop Ambassador” and legend in his own right, mentioned he had cancer while speaking to HipHopDX.
“I just got off the phone with Rahiem,” Van Silk says. “They were all at the hospital last night. It was the first time all original members of UTFO had been together in a long time. He had been sick with cancer and must have had it for a while.”
Van Silk penned a tribute of his own via Facebook as well.
“Sorry..I heard the pain and prayer last night when I called when you was with him,” he wrote. “Thanks for letting me be part of that moment. MAY OUR HIP HOP AMBASSADOR SLEEP IN PEACE..REST SIR. JEFFERY CAMPBELL aka EDUCATED RAPPER.”
The news has already set off a ripple effect across the Hip Hop community. Ready Red also took to social media to express his shock at the sudden turn of events and explained to DX how quickly it happened.
“Van Silk posted that he wasn’t doing well and a few hours later Rahiem from the Furious Five posted a R.I.P,” Ready Red tells HipHopDX. “When I first heard of the Educated Rapper, I took notice of his clear delivery and excellent flow. He was a top notch MC in the best era ever. He will be missed.”
The Brooklyn-based UTFO was active between 1984 and 1992 during Hip Hop’s golden age, and was responsible for the aforementioned celebrated classic “Roxanne, Roxanne” and “Pick Up The Pace” from the 1985 Hip Hop film Krush Groove. The members of UTFO — Kangol Kid, Educated Rapper, Doctor Ice and Mix Master Ice — were also among the first breakdancers to appear on daytime television.
Several other notable Hip Hop figures took to social media to express their condolences, including Kool Keith, Chuck D, Rahiem, DJ Premier, Masta Ace, Geechi Suede of Camp Lo, RA The Rugged Man, Pete Rock, and (of course) Mix Master Ice and Kangol Kid.
Don’t know him. I was born in 1992. But rest in peace. My condolences goes out to his family and friends.
Good time to get familiar with him!
Word.
who?! another grandpa rapper dead, and a old rapper’s twitter jerkfest on his death. nothing to see here folks, move along.
You’re just a dick.
investigate tower 7
i wish i was as edgy as you…
You are a disrespectful lil bitch I hope you lose a loved one and someone disrespects them so you’ll know how it feels fucking jerk off
You think Yaughty gonna stay young and live forever? Fucking idiot.
R.I.P. EMD your contribution to hop hop will never be forgotten
“Who?” – everyone
If you claim to love hip-hip or even *like hip-hop, you should know your foundation. You’re probably 13 so yeah I’ll give you a pass for your ignorance but go read a book. Watch a documentary. Something.
“Who?” – No one but you.
Man, RIP. I was in Kindergarten when Roxanne Roxanne came out and it got heavy play on Power 106. It was one of those songs that was the sign of the times for the mid-80s with that Electro hip hop like Whodini, Newcleus, Egyptian Lover, Doug E Fresh. I miss the 80s when it was all simple. Early to mid-90s was way the fuck better for hip hop but 80s is still way better than the 2000s.
lol, all the old farts that replied to me probably didn’t buy his music when he was still alive. did this guy or his lame ass group ever go gold at least? don’t be hypocrites, and yes, sales do matter. if this guy had true fans, then it would’ve reflected in the sales.
Fuckin’ ignorant loser you are. Hip hop was in its infancy stages back when UTFO made records. Little (independent) labels, no daytime radio, no infrastructure at major labels and money-powered machines backing up hip hop artists as nowadays. These people paved the way for any hip hop artist comin’ after. You don’t need to listen to that old ‘shit’, but if you ain’t comin’ here paying your respects to a true pioneer, then why the need to post a comment?? And looking at all the label advantages Lil’ Yachty has (as opposed to UTFO), then, if sales matter, why the fuck is Yachty floppin’ with his first week sales??
Gone to soon RIP EMD Educated Rapper !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Props to DX for reporting on the founders of this culture. Too many idiots think Lil Yachty is what this shit is all about. Cats like EMD laid the foundation for cats like Lil Boat to even have a chance at having a career like he does. Know Your Shit!
Pay no attention to the keyboard coward trolls rest in paradise and rock mics in heaven
@new generation In the golden era of hip-hop, sales were based on sales. Not views, streams, etc… The newer generation has so many mediums available to them. So RIAA certifications, exposure, media coverage, comes a little easier these days. I used to have to go to the record store, just to see what had come out. We didn’t have youtube, or hiphopdx. If it looked hip-hop, I bought it. Sometimes you got something good, sometimes you didn’t. We had no way of knowing. I’m not going to hate on Yachty. It’s not for me. It’s for my sons. They like it. However, they also know who UTFO is. I made sure of that. They know the beginnings. I do have UTFO on Vinyl, and digital! So yeah I bought their stuff while he was alive! I was fortunate enough to attend the Jamitron Street Festival in 1984. UTFO was the headliner. I was going into my freshman year of high school. My condolences to his family, bandmates, and anyone else who had an appreciation for what he did. Rest well EMD!
thank you from his family i am actually his neice
THANK YOU TO THE WRITER OF THIS STORY OUR FAMILY APPRECIATES IT ALL