obituaries

Digital Underground, led by Shock G, shown here in 1990, was one of the early rap groups to follow the example — in sound and energy — set by George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic.

Music & Culture

Shock G, Leader Of Hip-Hop's Digital Underground, Dies At 57

9:10pm April 23, 2021

by Rodney Carmichael

The rapper and producer who animated the Bay Area crew had a huge hit in 1990 with "The Humpty Dance," introduced the world to Tupac Shakur and was a foundational figure in West Coast hip-hop.

Black Rob performs onstage during the Puff Daddy and The Family Bad Boy Reunion Tour in 2016. The "Whoa!" rapper died Saturday at age 52.

Music & Culture

Black Rob, Former Bad Boy Records Rapper, Dies At 52

2:32pm April 23, 2021

by LaTesha Harris

The New York rapper, best known as the husky voice behind top-of-the-millennium hit single "Whoa!," died April 17 in Atlanta.

Les McKeown, performing on Aug. 24, 2007 in Sydney.

Music & Culture

Les McKeown, Singer For Bay City Rollers, Dies At 65

11:30am April 23, 2021

by Lars Gotrich

The Scottish singer rode the wave of "Rollermania" to several chart hits in the glammed-out days of '70s rock.

Jim Steinman speaks onstage at the Songwriters Hall of Fame induction and awards in 2012.

Music & Culture

Jim Steinman, Writer Of Operatic Rock Hits For Meat Loaf And Celine Dion, Dies At 73

4:15pm April 21, 2021

by Elizabeth Blair

Closely associated with Meat Loaf, Jim Steinman also wrote over-the-top hits for Bonnie Tyler, Air Supply and Celine Dion, as well as music for the stage.

Former Vice President Walter Mondale and former President Jimmy Carter appeared together in 2018, marking Mondale's 90th birthday.

Politics & Government

Former Vice President Walter Mondale Dies At 93

10:29pm April 19, 2021

by Vanessa Romo

The Minnesota Democrat was President Jimmy Carter's vice president and the Democratic nominee for president in 1984. He's lauded for humor and transforming the vice presidency, but also for decency.

National

'He Had A Smile That Was Angelic. He Lit Up The Room': Remembering Daunte Wright

12:43am April 15, 2021

by David Schaper

We take a look at the young life of Daunte Wright, the 20-year-old shot dead by Brooklyn Center police.

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Bernie Madoff, Whose Ponzi Scheme Bilked Thousands, Dies In Prison

10:51am April 14, 2021

by Jim Zarroli

Bernie Madoff, who carried out one of the most notorious Ponzi schemes in history, has died while serving his prison sentence in North Carolina. He bilked thousands of investors out of their savings.

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Sonny Simmons performs on May 30th 1997 at the Bimhuis in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Music & Culture

Sonny Simmons, Fiercely Independent Alto Saxophonist, Dies at 87

11:54am April 13, 2021

by Martin Johnson

The musician spent a decade homeless in San Francisco before making records, but left a much longer legacy by bringing his knowledge of bebop and blues, and an innate soulfulness into jazz music.

Philip and Elizabeth carry around their eldest children, Prince Charles and Princess Anne, circa 1951.

World News

Great Britain's Prince Philip Dies At Age 99

1:20pm April 10, 2021

by Vicki Barker

As Queen Elizabeth II's husband, Prince Philip was the longest-serving consort in British history. He died Friday at Windsor Castle.

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DMX performs at The Source Hip-Hop Music Awards in 2001 in Miami Beach, Fla. The rapper died Friday at age 50.

Rapper And Actor DMX Dead At 50

4:13pm April 09, 2021

by Andrew Limbong

The rapper died Friday at White Plains, N.Y., Hospital after being on life support.