Revered New York rapper Craig Mack has passed away at the age of 46, the artist's producer confirmed to NY Daily News.
Mack died of heart failure at hospital near his home in Walterboro, SC, on Monday, after being ill for some time.
"Nobody got to understand his story," Alvin Toney, who produced Mack’s debut album, Project: Funk Da World, said.
"I wanted the world to know the talent he had. It was something I wanted people to enjoy, but it was cut short because he was very religious and wanted to go to church."
Toney continued, "He was prepared for whatever comes, to go home to the Lord.
"He was prepared to do that. He wasn’t scared. He was ready."
The Queens-born hip hop artist, who featured on Sean "Diddy" Combs' Bad Boy Records label, rose to fame through his 1994 classic, Flava In Ya Ear.
He is survived by his wife and two children.
A number of artists have paid tribute to Mack, including Diddy who said the rapper had an energy that was "out of this world" and Eminem.
Craig Mack, you were the first artist to release music on Bad Boy and gave us our first hit. You always followed your heart and you had an energy that was out of this world. You believed in me and you believed in Bad Boy. I will never forget what you did for hip-hop. pic.twitter.com/qvnxRTcdXv
— Diddy (@Diddy) March 13, 2018
You inspired me and will continue to inspire us. We will always love you. #RIPCraigMack #BadBoy4Life
— Diddy (@Diddy) March 13, 2018
“Now, hold up, let’s make this official / Everybody let’s agree that MC’s need a tissue” … indeed a sad day for losing such a groundbreaking MC #RIPCRAIGMACK pic.twitter.com/TTYmcAtdHw
— Marshall Mathers (@Eminem) March 13, 2018
Rest in power Craig. May the almighty embrace your soul & lift up your family and friends. it was a pleasure to know you & rock with you. You $tepped away from the game & did it your way.. I always respected that.#RIPCraigMack
— LLCOOLJ. (@llcoolj) March 13, 2018
R.I.P. to a true legend who never got his just due. As a kid I used to jam "Flava in Your Ear" and 20 years later I still bump the cassette in the van on tour. He's left us too soon but his music will live on forever. RIP CRAIG MACK #RIPCraigMack https://t.co/165CAwrcHL
— Reggie Sears (@reggiesears) March 13, 2018
Made a lil girl from the Midwest fall in love with hip hop.
— Alyson Stoner (@AlysonStoner) March 13, 2018
Honor those who paved the path for you (and so many others). #RIPCraigMack pic.twitter.com/ZCOHsFpx7O
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