Hip-hop fans mourn Ka, the NYFD captain who was an underground rap legend

After releasing his last album, “The Thief Next to Jesus,” in August, New York rapper Ka has died at the age of 52.

According to a post to him Instagram profile On Monday, October 14, on Saturday, the legend of underground hip-hop died unexpectedly.

“It is with broken hearts that we announce the death of Kaseem Ryan,” the post began. “Born and raised in Brownsville, Brooklyn, Ka lived a life of service to his city, his community and his music.”

Ka’s profession, which took off in the early 2000s, showed few signs of stopping until his latest release. During his life, i.e. from 1972 to 2024, he released 11 albums, while maintaining his independent underground status.

While many knew Ka for his respect for New York’s underground rap scene, many also knew him as a veteran of the New York City Fire Department. For over 20 years, Ka, who was the first to offer aid on September 11, 2001, rose through the ranks not only in music, but to the rank of captain of the New York Police Department.

Featured Stories

“He leaves an extraordinary legacy as a recording artist, including eleven extraordinary self-released solo albums,” it continues. “Ka left behind a wife, mother and sister. We kindly ask that you respect the privacy of Ka’s family and their loved ones as they mourn this incalculable loss.”

Ka first joined the industry as a founding member of the group Natural Elements in 1993, before forming the duo Nightbreed with the late rapper Kev, The billboard was announced. Ka eventually struck out on his own with acclaimed independent releases including “Grief Pedigree” and “The Night’s Gambit”.

Stylistically, he was known for songs resembling epic poems and albums with multi-layered and sophisticated themes, he says. Vulture.

Ka’s wife, Mimi Valdés, artist, film producer and longtime collaborator of Pharrell Williams, paid tribute to her late husband social mediacalling him her “king”, “hero”, and “best friend”.

“You will at all times be my every little thing because a love like ours lasts ceaselessly. Rest well, my beautiful husband, see you on the other side,” she wrote in the caption of a post containing a portrait of the late rapper.

No explanation for death was given.