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2024 was a memorable year for artists, with rappers and musicians delivering groundbreaking albums, chart-topping singles, and highly infectious live performances.
While the internet was kept entertained throughout the year, the music world mourned the loss of multiple rappers and musicians who were voices for their generations, leaving an unforgettable impact on the industry.
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From losing generational talents early in the year to Liam Payne's shocking death two months ago, fans and the music community experienced unprecedented grief, coming together on social media to share their thoughts and prayers with the families and loved ones of artists who passed this year.
8 musicians who passed away in 2024
Reflecting on 2024 and the various pop culture events for the year, hip-hop and the broader music community were shaken by the loss of multiple artists. This list honors the contributions and careers of eight popular musicians, whose impact on music continues to inspire fans worldwide.
1) Enchanting
On June 11, upcoming Texas rapper Enchanting passed away due to toxicity caused by an accidental overdose of oxycodone and benzodiazepines.
Before signing a new deal with Change The Game Records, with whom she was reportedly preparing new music, Enchanting was signed to Gucci Mane's 1017 record label from 2020 to 2022.
2) Foolio
On June 23, Jacksonville rapper Foolio, born Charles Jones, was reportedly shot and killed outside a Holiday Inn, in Tampa, Florida, two days after he celebrated his 26th birthday.
Early incident reports suggest that Foolio was ambushed, along with three other associates, while seated in a car parked outside a Holiday Inn Hotel.
3) Fatman Scoop
On August 30, Fatman Scoop collapsed on stage while performing in Hamden, Connecticut. Born Isaac Freeman, he rose to fame in the early 2000s entertaining hip-hop fans with club bangers like Freak Show (feat. Rico Davis).
The musician and hypeman's death was ruled as "natural," with the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirming his passing was a result of a "hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular" disease.
Fatman Scoop's long-term heart disease developed due to high blood pressure and a build-up of plaque within his arteries, limiting the blood flow to vital organs, known as Atherosclerosis.
4) Rich Homie Quan
On September 5, Rich Homie Quan, whose real name is Dequantes Devontay Lamar, passed away from an "accidental overdose". A month after his death, the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed a mix of fentanyl, alprazolam, codeine, promethazine, and THC, was found in his system.
According to incident reports, Lamar's girlfriend Amber Williams found the rapper unconscious on his couch. Upon their arrival, police officials confirmed there was no evidence of foul play, stating Rich Homie Quan's body was "cold and unresponsive".
Rich Homie Quan dominated the early 2010s, resulting from the success of his breakout hit Type of Way, which went on to sell half a million records.
5) Maurizio Pollini
Maurizio Pollini, a Grammy-winning Italian pianist and acclaimed musician, reportedly passed away at a Milan clinic on March 23, 2024.
La Scala, an opera house where Maurizio Pollini frequently performed, confirmed the late pianist's passing in a public statement. While they didn't specify a cause of death, fans suspected age-related health issues were the primary reasons behind his passing.
With a six-decade-long international career, Maurizio Pollini is remembered for his technical mastery of the piano. He notably embraced 20th-century classics from artists like Igor Stravinsky and Arnold Schoenberg.
"[Maurizio Pollini was] one of the great musicians of our time and a fundamental reference in the artistic life of the theater for over 50 years,” La Scala stated.
6) Phil Lesh
On October 25, American musician Philip Chapman Lesh passed away at the age of 84. His death was announced on Instagram, with no further information being provided.
Phil Lesh, an acclaimed bassist, was the founding member of the rock band The Grateful Dead, who released hit records like Shakedown Street and Terrapin Station. The musician gained popularity for developing an innovative approach to playing a six-string bass.
7) Roy Haynes
On November 12, American jazz drummer Roy Owen Haynes passed at the age of 99. His daughter Leslie Haynes-Gilmore confirmed his passing was a result of an illness.
Hailed as one of the last remaining musicians of jazz's swing and bebop eras, Roy Haynes was famously known as "Snap Crackle," a distinctive drum pattern he developed in the 1950s.
With a career that spanned nine decades, Roy Haynes played with multiple iconic performers like Charlie Parker, Bud Powell, John Coltrane, and more. The late musician is remembered as one of the most recorded drummers in jazz history.
8) Liam Payne
On October 16, the music and pop culture world was left in shock following the announcement of English singer-songwriter Liam Payne's untimely passing.
Liam was a former member of One Direction, regarded as the best-selling boy band of all time, alongside artists Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson.
According to reports, Liam Payne was pronounced dead at the scene after falling off the third-floor balcony, of his hotel room, in Bueno Aires, Argentina.
In honor of Rich Homie Quan's career and contributions to hip-hop, the late rapper's record label, RAIS LLC, released his first posthumous album Forever Going In on October 4, 2024.
