Geto Boys rapper Bushwick Bill has died

Geto Boys rapper Bushwick Bill (pictured centre) has died.

The rapper passed away last night (June 9), aged 52, after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Media outlets prematurely announced his death earlier yesterday, leading to his son posting on Instagram "My dad IS NOT dead." However, his publicist later confirmed his death.

Bushwick Bill, real name Richard Shaw, was a founding member of the Houston-based Geto Boys, known for their controversial gangsta rap lyrics.

The group originally consisted of Bushwick Bill, Prince Johnny C, The Sire Jukebox, Sir Rap-A-Lot, Raheem and DJ Ready Red, but the group split following a little success of debut album 'Making Trouble'. From then on, Geto Boys mainly consisted of Bushwick Bill alongside Scarface and Willie D. Their most successful album was 1996's 'The Resurrection'.

Bushwick Bill claims he died and came back to life in 1991 after shooting himself in the eye during an argument with his girlfriend. He was reportedly under the influence of alcohol and PCP.

Listen to Geto Boys' 1991 track 'Mind Playing Tricks On Me' below.

Dave Turner is Mixmag's Commercial Content Editor, follow him on Twitter

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