- Saafir (born Reggie Gibson) reportedly died at 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday
- He was part of the rap group Golden State Project with Xzibit
- Saafir also worked as an actor, most notably in 1993’s Menace II Society
- Have YOU got a story? Email [email protected]
The West Coast rapper Saafir has died at 54, according to his former collaborator Xzibit.
Saafir, who was also a producer and actor, died at 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday, according to Xzibit’s post.
The rapper (born Reggie Gibson) made his debut on record in 1993 and became an influential figure in West Coast rap, although larger commercial success mostly evaded him.
He expanded into acting 1993 with a role in the modern crime classic Menace II Society, which marked the feature debut of Jada Pinkett Smith.
He had reportedly been suffering from numerous health problems in recent years and had been forced to use a wheelchair.
‘I’m can’t believe I’m writing this right now, but don’t know what else to do at the moment,’ wrote a stunned Xzibit as he announced his friend’s death.
The West Coast rapper Saafir has died at 54, according to his former collaborator Xzibit; pictured in 1994 in Chicago
‘Approximately at 8:45am this morning, my brother Reggie known to the world as Saafir passed away,’ he announced.
‘We have so much history I can’t even explain what I’m feeling right now. We surrounded him and let him know how much we loved him. He can rest now,’ Xzibit (born Alvin Nathaniel Joiner) wrote.
‘Friends, Family, everyone that rocked with us from the Hip Hop community, if you could be so solid and reach out for @chopblack his younger brother, and @lilsaafir his son, the family really needs to be supported during this time,’ he continued.
‘That’s all I have right now,’ the Pimp My Ride host shared. ‘My soul is crushed.’
He concluded by declaring ‘We love you Bro,’ and he hoped that his fallen friend — whom he referred to be his nickname ‘The Saucee Nomad’ would ‘REST IN POWER.’
Saafir and Xzibit’s collaboration goes back to their time in the rap group Golden State Project, which was previously went by Golden State Warriors and also featured Ras Kass as a member.
Sources who spoke to TMZ said that the late MC had died in his hometown of Oakland.
Although Xzibit didn’t share Saafir’s cause of death, his health had reportedly suffered in recent years, and he had even had to have a tumor removed from his spine.
Xzibit wrote that Saafir had died at 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday, and he said said he and others had ‘surrounded him and let him know how much we loved him’
Saafir (L) was in the rap group Golden State Project (formerly Golden State Warriors) with Xzibit; pictured in 1994 with (L–R) Craig Mack, The D.O.C. and the Notorious B.I.G. in Chicago
Early in his career, Saafir worked as a dancer for the hip-hop crew Digital Underground.
At one point he lived with rap legend Tupac Shakur, who set him on a path to dabbling in acting when he introduced him to the filmmaker duo Albert and Allen Hughes, who cast him in their debut Menace II Society.
In the early 1990s, Saafir was part of the hip-hop group Hobo Junction, and he achieved renown in the genre after participating in a widely publicized rap battle between his group and the East Bay group Hieroglyphics.
His triumphant performance earned him a recording contract from Quincy Jones, according to KQED.
