HipHopDX has confirmed independent Hip Hop veteran Paten Locke passed away from stage 4 small cell cancer last Friday (August 2). Dillon Maurer, one of the late artist’s longtime collaborators, issued an official statement on his friend’s passing with the approval of Locke’s family.
“Paten Locke passed peacefully in his home in Jacksonville, Florida on Friday, August 2nd, in the comfort of his friends and family,” Maurer said in a statement to DX. “For the past three months, Paten has been battling a very aggressive form of small cell cancer and he is finally free from the tremendous pain and suffering it caused him.”
He continued, “The prolific producer/DJ/MC and record collector was born in Boston on August 25th, 1974 and leaves behind a vast catalog of music spanning many genres and styles. Paten Locke is survived by his parents, Ron and Cheryl Locke, his sister Inala, his fiancée Shannon and his beloved daughter Asha.”
Last month, Locke revealed he was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. In the Facebook post, he told friends and fans he wouldn’t be seeking treatment.
“I will not fight it til the end I will only live whatever I have left because my life has been grrrreat!” he wrote. “I’m proud happy and blessed. And yes In pain. But my overall emotion is love. And maybe a lil regret at not being able to complete all the acts of love I still wished to give. But it doesn’t compare to the feeling of true joy at all the love my life has been filled with.”
Locke, who was previously known as DJ Therapy, initially gained recognition in Hip Hop as a member of the Jacksonville-based group Asamov (a.k.a. Alias Brothers). The four-person crew’s critically acclaimed album And Now… was named one of DX’s Best of 2005.
In 2007, Locke was a part of Rawkus Records’ Rawkus 50 campaign. The Smile Rays — a trio comprised of Locke, Lady Daisey and producer Batsauce — released their album Smilin’ On You through the iconic label.
Two years later, Locke dropped his solo debut Super Ramen Rocketship. He would then go on to form a duo with the aforementioned Maurer, releasing multiple projects as Dillon & Paten Locke.
Over the course of his career, Locke collaborated with a variety of artists as both an MC and producer. His discography includes work with notable names such as Diamond D, The Perceptionists (Mr. Lif and Akrobatik) and Black Sheep’s Dres.
Smile Rays member Lady Daisey launched a GoFundMe for Locke following the public announcement of his cancer diagnosis. The campaign has raised over $17,600 as of Tuesday (August 6).
All donations will go to the late artist’s mother Cheryl Locke.
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All these old rappers with GoFundme accounts. They pensions for Rappers. Why these cats don’t have any life insurance?
Don’t be a Dick
Don’t come for me Blood!! Let me make my comments in peace. Thanks in advance.
White Boys always got bad things to say… Why do you come on this kindna website if you don’t have love for brothers. White people are the problem on this earth… Evil and division.
August 7, 2019 | 1:13 PM
White Boys always got bad things to say… Why do you come on this kindna website if you don’t have love for brothers. White people are the problem on this earth… Evil and division.
Sorry Damn this message is for Prince charles
He was a really dope artist “Auto-Reverse” was a phenomenal track that deserved getting a video. Paten’s production was tight. Definitely check out his and Dillon’s projects.
Prince, while life insurance is definitely something that all people should be getting. A lot of times there are complicating situations that preclude them from being able to get or qualify for life insurance. While you can oftentimes utilize the accelerated death benefit provision in the policy, which would afford some of the death benefit ahead of time if you are determined to be terminal, a lot of these “old rappers” aren’t terminal, they may not have health insurance, or enough comprehensive health insurance to cover the medical bills.
Keep in mind that these “old rappers” often dedicate their life to a craft and art form that you and all of us reap the benefit of, through the enjoyment of their music, but the money doesn’t follow and end up in their pocket. Many of our favorite artist are doing this independently and dependant on us buying their music and going to see them. But, unfortunately they are doing all of this in an enviroment where the listeners often don’t show the love buying purchasing the art that they consume.
Show some love and buy some music.
Timing with your comments is key. To quote J Dodd, “Don’t be a Dick”.
Thx for giving a true Hip Hop artist both MC and Producer a shout out. RIP and thx for the dope music !
RIP Paten Locke. Jacksonville OG. homie was a good soul and pureeee hiphop head. We never worked but he’s got a lot of work with Midaz The Beast that’s unreleased and dude had thousands of beats. Sucks to see this happen to the city and his fam. RIP to another guy who produced classic underground material.