It certainly has been an eventful last two decades for hip hop music. Once thought of as a fly-by-night fad with no true staying power, the culture and music behind it eventually exploded into an international phenomena, creating trends and making superstars in the process. But the price of fame created by this genre ultimately proved costly in some cases, as several of the stars who seemed most capable of elevating rap to otherworldly stratospheres were prematurely rubbed out by the murderous hands of their own people. Some were already bona fide stars; others were destined for greatness—but the common thread shared by all 10 of our featured slain musicians is them being taken from us far too soon. –dewayne rogers
10. Freaky Tah
As an integral component of one of NY’s most beloved rap groups, rapper and promoter Freaky Tah had risen from his drug dealing days in Queens to become a respected force within the music industry. Lost Boyz debut album, Legal Drug Money, would go on to make its opening bow at sixth on the Billboard Top-200 chart and number 1 on the R&B/hip-hop chart. Sadly, Freaky Tah’s life was cut short at 27, as he was shot in the head while leaving a party in Jamaica, Queens.
