Hip Hop pioneer Kangol Kid from U.T.F.O. died Friday afternoon after battling stage 4 colon cancer just 10 months prior to his diagnosis. Several of his friends took to social media to pray for the ailing musician hours before receiving the news that the rapper had passed on, according to HipHopDX.
In an exclusive with HipHopDX, veteran New York City promoter Van Silk, who is currently undergoing treatment for the same form of cancer, thought the news was a rumor. However, he was able to confirm Kid’s death.
“I’m hearing Kangol passed,” he wrote via text Saturday morning (December 18). “I was on with Mix Master Ice last night. Trying to find out.” He returned just 20 minutes later with, “RIP KANGOL KID. He passed at 3:02 a.m. My prayers go out to my brother who fought a battle of colon cancer at Stage 4.
“Early on, we discussed our fight with this disease because my fight with colon cancer is stage 2. He told me it had spread in October. I encourage all to get your prostate and colon checked. May my brother Kangol Rest In Heaven.”
Another sad day for Hip Hop. Rest in peace Kangol Kid 😢 You were a force, and we thank you for everything you did for the culture. #RIPKangolKid #HipHop pic.twitter.com/EUyMCGQadr
— ill Will (@officialillwill) December 18, 2021
After receiving the unfortunate diagnosis in February, Kid immediately started chemotherapy. However, his condition worsened over the last few months, and he was hospitalized in October for more surgery.
“Please forgive me for not returning calls and more,” he wrote on Instagram at the time. “Things have become, and are becoming a little more difficult than imagined. I’ve been admitted again for complications related to my condition. Thank you to those who have been instrumental in my latest ordeal. Your actions have been well received and greatly appreciated. I am blessed to have you by my side through this. I love you all.”
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During an interview with PIX11 News in March, Kid displayed a positive attitude, stating he was feeling better after his initial surgery, which required 10 centimeters of his colon to be removed.
“I didn’t believe it,” he said of his diagnosis. “That’s the last thing you want to hear. … when those words were said to me, I fell out inside. I stood up after awhile, spoke to my friends who kept my spirits up through all of this and my mentality just changed, like, ‘You gotta fight this.’”
As an original b-boy, Kid, born Shaun Shiller Fequiere, was considered one of Hip Hop’s most notable contributors to the culture. He was also a dancer with partner Doctor Ice and eventually formed U.T.F.O with Educated Rapper (who died in June 2017), Doctor Ice, and Mix Master Ice.
“They became one of the most popular Hip Hop groups in the country, with breakout single, “Roxanne, Roxanne,” which spawned one of the best diss tracks of all time, “Roxanne’s Revenge” by Roxanne Shanté. Diamond D of the Diggin’ In The Crates Crew (D.I.T.C.) noted Kid’s undeniable impact in an Instagram tribute to the late, great MC,” HipHopDX reported.
“Sleep in Peace Legend,” he wrote. “Kangol #UTFO Those of us who remember when Roxanne Roxanne 1st dropped can tell you how HUGE that one song was and how fast it blew up In the streets. Part of that reason was its authenticity because it sounded like a park jam with MCs spittin’ over big beat. Salute Kangol rest in power.”
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A month before his passing, rap legend LL Cool J visited Kid at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset to lift his spirits. The New York City native shared a photo of himself shaking hands with the Queens rapper on his Instagram account.
“NEED I SAY MORE????” he wrote in the caption. “I stepped out of the recovery-room…and was greeted by this guy. Maybe you’ve heard of him??? Ladies and Gentlemen, the man, the myth, the legend, Mr. G.O.A.T. himself L.L.COOL J @llcoolj @rockthebells visited me and elevated my healing energies in ways doctors can never duplicate. Thank you Baby Bro. I love you man.”
Additionally, music producers and rap legends like Jermaine Dupri, Big Daddy Kane, MC Sha-Rock of the Funky + 1, The Fat Boy’s Kool Rock Ski, R.A. The Rugged Man and DJ Rhettmatic of The Beat Junkies are some of those sending their condolences.
