Rest In Power: 7 Hip-Hop Legends We Lost In 2024 And 2025 And Their Undying Legacy

The hip-hop world continues to mourn a series of profound and often heartbreaking losses, with 2024 and 2025 marking a particularly somber period for the culture. As of this writing in December 2025, the community is grappling with the untimely passing of iconic producers, lyrical masters, and rising stars, each leaving a unique, indelible mark on the genre. The deaths span decades of influence, from the pioneers of the Golden Era to the new wave of emo-rap, underscoring the fragility of life even for those who seem invincible on the mic or behind the boards. This article honors the memory and enduring musical contributions of these influential figures.

The recent wave of "rest in peace rap" news has highlighted systemic issues, including the ongoing mental health crisis and the devastating impact of the opioid epidemic, which continue to plague the music industry. From sudden on-stage collapses to quiet, private struggles, the stories of these artists serve as a powerful reminder of the human element behind the iconic tracks and platinum plaques. Their legacies, however, remain vibrant, ensuring their voices—whether booming hype-man calls or intricate lyrical tapestries—will resonate for generations to come.

The Legends We Lost: A Comprehensive 2024-2025 Roster

The following list details the profiles of some of the most significant figures in hip-hop who passed away in 2024 and 2025, showcasing their biographical details, cause of death, and monumental contributions to the culture.

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Irv Gotti (Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr.)

• Born: June 26, 1970 (Queens, New York)
• Died: February 5, 2025 (Age 54)
• Cause of Death: Massive stroke, following a long battle with diabetes.
• Legacy: Irv Gotti was a visionary record producer and the co-founder of the legendary Murder Inc. Records alongside his brother, Chris Gotti. His influence defined the sound of early 2000s hip-hop and R&B, known for its gritty yet soulful blend. He was the mastermind behind multi-platinum careers for artists like Ja Rule and Ashanti, and his production work extended to icons such as Jay-Z and DMX. The Murder Inc. era is celebrated for its chart-topping hits and distinctive, cinematic sound.

Fatman Scoop (Isaac Freeman III)

• Born: August 6, 1968 (New York City)
• Died: August 31, 2024 (Age 56)
• Cause of Death: Hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, after collapsing on stage during a performance in Connecticut.
• Legacy: Known for his booming, commanding voice and role as a hype man, Fatman Scoop was an essential figure in party and club culture. His 2003 track "Be Faithful" became a global anthem, hitting number one in the UK and achieving widespread international success. He was celebrated for his energetic performances and his ability to ignite any crowd, a true master of ceremonies.

Chino XL (Derek Keith Barbosa)

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• Born: April 8, 1974 (New Jersey)
• Died: July 28, 2024 (Age 50)
• Cause of Death: Suicide. His family confirmed he had struggled with depression.
• Legacy: Chino XL is revered as one of hip-hop's most technically gifted and lyrically complex MCs. He was celebrated for his intricate, multisyllabic rhyme schemes, dense wordplay, and cutting-edge punchlines, which earned him the moniker of a "Jedi MC." His influence on subsequent generations of lyricists, most notably Eminem, is widely acknowledged. His passing brought the critical issue of the hip-hop mental health crisis into sharp focus.

Enchanting (Channing Nicole Larry)

• Born: October 9, 1997 (Germany)
• Died: June 11, 2024 (Age 26)
• Cause of Death: Accidental drug overdose, a tragic casualty of the ongoing opioid crisis.
• Legacy: Enchanting was a rapidly rising star from Fort Worth, Texas, who gained significant traction after signing with Gucci Mane's 1017 Records. She was known for her smooth flow, melodic delivery, and contribution to the modern trap sound. Her death at such a young age highlighted the alarming prevalence of drug misuse and opioid epidemic within the younger generation of rap artists.

POORSTACY (Carlito Junior Milfort)

• Born: March 15, 1999 (Florida)
• Died: December 1, 2025 (Age 26)
• Cause of Death: Ruled a suicide, following a medical emergency in Boca Raton.
• Legacy: POORSTACY was a Grammy-nominated artist who bridged the gap between hip-hop and the emo-rap and rock genres. His music, characterized by raw emotional vulnerability and a fusion of melodic singing with hard-hitting rap, resonated deeply with a new wave of listeners. His passing is another stark reminder of the "Under 27 Club" and the mental health struggles faced by young artists in the streaming era.

The Unending Impact of Hip-Hop's Lost Pioneers

The losses of 2024 and 2025 were not limited to a single generation; they also claimed foundational figures who helped build the genre. The passing of these veterans serves as a moment to reflect on the roots of hip-hop and the importance of its earliest innovators.

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DJ Polo (Thomas Pough), who passed away in July 2024 at the age of 63, was an integral part of the Golden Era of hip-hop. As one half of the legendary duo Kool G Rap & DJ Polo and a member of the influential Juice Crew, Polo's scratching and production defined the sound of sophisticated, lyrical East Coast rap. His work with Kool G Rap is considered mandatory listening for any student of the genre, cementing his place in the annals of hip-hop history.

Similarly, the New York rap scene mourned the loss of A.D.O.R. (Eddy Castellanos Sr.) on January 1, 2025, at the age of 55. A.D.O.R. is best known for his classic 1992 single "Let It All Hang Out," which was produced by the iconic Pete Rock. His death reminds the community of the enduring quality of 90s boom-bap and the artists who laid the groundwork for modern rap.

Addressing the Crises: Mental Health and the Opioid Epidemic

The tragic loss of young talents like Enchanting and POORSTACY, both aged 26, is a grim echo of the challenges facing the industry's younger members. The official causes of death—accidental overdose and suicide—are direct indicators of the drug overdose epidemic and the escalating mental health crisis in hip-hop. Artists like Juice WRLD, Lil Peep, and Mac Miller previously brought these issues to the forefront, and the recent deaths confirm the problem is far from resolved.

The culture is slowly shifting, with more artists like Kendrick Lamar and Meek Mill openly discussing their struggles with depression and mental health. However, the industry pressure, the glorification of drug use in certain subgenres like Trap Music, and the lack of accessible support structures continue to create a toxic environment. The passing of Chino XL, a respected veteran who battled depression privately, further emphasizes that these struggles are universal across all ages and levels of success in the rap world.

The Enduring Power of a Legacy

Despite the grief, the musical legacies of these artists offer a powerful form of solace and continuation. Irv Gotti's sound is still heard in modern R&B production, while the lyrical complexity championed by Chino XL continues to be the benchmark for aspiring technical MCs. The energy of Fatman Scoop's voice will forever be synonymous with peak party moments, a testament to the power of the hype man role.

The unfortunate reality is that the hip-hop community continues to lose its best and brightest at an alarming rate, whether due to health issues like the hypertensive cardiovascular disease that claimed Scoop, or the more insidious crises of addiction and mental illness. Each "rest in power" message serves not just as a tribute, but as a call to action—a demand for better support, greater awareness, and a healthier environment for the artists who soundtrack our lives. Their music lives on, a vibrant, powerful force that transcends the tragedy of their final chapter.