Hip-Hop/Graffiti Icon Rammellzee Dead at 49
June 30, 2010
Can we please have a moment of silence for . . .
Hip-Hop/Graffiti visionary Rammellzee who died Tuesday, according to a tweet by Fab 5 Freddy. No word on cause of death. He was 49 years old.
A native of Queens, N.Y., Rammellzee (aka Ramm:ell:zee or RAMMΣLLZΣΣ) was an influential graffiti artist during the early '80s who is best known for his 10-minute spaced-out jam "Beat Bop," which was produced by the late famed artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. But Ramm's long and varied career spanned into music, art and films. The eccentric art-rapper appeared in three notable cult movies: Henry Chalfant's Style Wars, Charlie Ahearn's Wild Style and Jim Jarmusch's Stanger Than Paradise. "He's a genius," recalls Jarmusch. "The kind of guy you could talk to for twenty minutes and your whole life could change, if you could only understand him."
If you are not familiar with Rammellzee then read this DEFINITIVE 2004 Interview with Rammellzee by veteran hip-hop journalist Greg Tate. (Props to the UK music magazine the Wire)
Also, check out Rammellzee's tributes from eskay and Jeff Weiss.
Other Tributes:
Rammellzee: "You Hit The Bank, You Rob The Money, And You Leave"
RAMMELLZEE: The Father Of All Your Styles (Via Stones Throw)
Rammellzee (Featuring K-Rob) -- "Beat Bop"
Rammellzee Rapping in Wild Style
Rammellzee Featured in Style Wars
Rammellzee and Jean Michel Basquiat @ Rhythm Lounge 1983
Rest in Power, RAMMΣLLZΣΣ!
Holla!