At present, the cause of death has not been released. However, it is known that he had been battling kidney failure, and had also suffered a series of strokes, going back to 2015. Recently, he was hospitalized in Atlanta, although he was subsequently discharged.
Last week, DJ Self shared a video on Instagram, in which Rob said he was homeless and battling health issues, including kidney failure, New Musical Express reported.
“Oh man, I’ve been dealing with this for five years. Four strokes … I don’t know what to tell you, man,” Rob said in the video. “I don’t got no house to live in — except maybe an apartment. Me and my man be trying to get together. I’m telling you man, this (expletive) is strange. It’s hard, you know what I’m saying?”
Born Robert Ross, Black Rob grew up in East Harlem, beginning to rap before reaching his teenage years. At age 22, he began performing with his first rap group, the Schizophrenics, under the stage name “Bacardi Rob.”
Born July 12, 1969, Rob began his career using the nickname Bacardi Rob, New Musical Express reported. He belonged to the rap group the Schizophrenics before joining Diddy’s Bad Boy Records in the mid-1990s.
It was in 1996 that Rob got involved with the Bad Boy label, appearing on a remix to 112’s “Come See Me.” The rapper would remain with Bad Boy until 2010, when he exited and signed to independent label, Down Duck Records, and eventually formed his own label, Box and One, alongside Jemal Mosley.
While Black Rob featured throughout his career on albums by Cru, Ol Dirty Bastard, Channel Live, The Madd Rapper, Benzino, Tony Touch and more, many know him for his 2000 hit single, “Whoa!”, which reached number 43 on the Billboard Hot 100. In total, he put out four studio albums, including Life Story (2000), The Black Rob Report (2005), Game Tested, Streets Approved (2011) and Genuine Article (2015).
In 2013, Rob also ventured into television with a short-lived reality series called Come Back Kings, in which he appeared opposite Ed Lover, Calvin Richardson, David “Davinch” Chance and more.
In 2000, Rob released his debut album, “Life Story,” which included the hip-hop anthem, “Whoa!” The album also included “I Love You Baby” and “Spanish Fly,” a collaboration with Jennifer Lopez.
Black Rob was the father of four children, named Kayli, Rianna, Diamond, and Million.
Reactions to his passing can be found below.
