On Thursday, the hip-hop community gathered to mourn one of their own.
Held at Frank E. Campbell Chapel in New York City, celebs including Mobb Deep’s Havoc, LL Cool J, Ice T, 50 Cent, Questlove, Remy Ma, Fat Joe and more turned out for the funeral service honoring Prodigy, born Albert Johnson. According to Billboard, the ceremony was also open to the public, allowing friends and families to salute the trailblazing artist.
As previously reported, Johnson, 42, died on June 20 in Las Vegas after being hospitalized due to “complications caused by a sickle cell anemia crisis,” a rep said in a statement at the time.
Following the ceremony, many attendees posted tributes on social media. “You would have been proud of how many people showed up and celebrated your life. We miss you King… Love you man. May you Rest easy,” LL Cool J, 49, shared on Twitter along with a photo of the funeral program.
“Just got home from the funeral … Very sad situation,” Ice T, 59, wrote.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BV74IPEhEou/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BV8Pjyhnfiv/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BV7rzUXlSd9/
Meanwhile, Nas and Fat Joe opted for lengthy farewells.
“A moment of silence for a great lyricist. Poet. Wordsmith. Fighter. Hip Hop King. This one hit home. Glad we spoke a little before your transition. Time is precious, don’t waste it, have those difficult conversations now because tomorrow is never promised. Luv Forever. Wish I was in America to see u off today MY G. Sendin Luv & Light to Havoc & Condolences to your families. RIP P may your light help us find our way! Shout out to Hempstead L.I. and the 41 side of 12th St, QB ☀️☀️☀️ YERRRRRR!! THUNNNNNNNN ! One Love,” Nas wrote via Instagram, alongside a photo featuring a sun, blazing.
“I remember I had Pun signed to loud records and we would see Hav and P there all the time and would just tell jokes and of course PUN would be pranking us. I stood in the funeral today in disbelief I was so overwhelmed with sorrow just as a fan of Hip Hop music. I couldn’t believe we lost a Giant. his music was original and always authentic. he and Hav stayed true to their sound. as I look in the room and saw so many people who have played a part in my life I realized how blessed we are to have had one another in this industry. first we Rap then promote then hit the road to pay our bills. I know I’ve been threw ups and downs financially and emotionally I can only imagine how hard it was for P to be fighting an illness his whole life and still provided for his family and most of all he did it for his fans. New York we lost a king , a genius a legend I will truly miss him and always have love for the infamous Mobb Deep. Rip Prodigy ???,” fellow rapper Fat Joe recalled in his emotional goodbye.
During the 2017 BET Awards, held on Sunday, June 25, Havoc and Lil’ Kim paid tribute to Prodigy while presenting an award. “This week, hip-hop suffered a painful loss, with the sudden passing of our brother, Prodigy,” Lil’ Kim began. “His pen painted vivid pictures of street life. He made what was ugly sound beautiful.”
“For over 20 years, he and I went through it all and seen it all,” Havoc added. “I’m going to miss my dude. This loss is painful. But the lyrical legacy he left us will impact the culture forever. Rest in peace, Prodigy. My brother.”
