3 Rap Stars From the 90s Who Died Too Soon

It’s no secret that the world of rap music has endured more than its fair share of tragedy over the years. Like the psychedelic rockers in the late 60s or the grunge stars in the mid-90s, rap has lost too many of its biggest stars at crucial points in history.

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But here below, we wanted to remember a few names. We wanted to highlight three artists who both impacted the legacy of hip-hop and who, despite that success and influence, passed away too young. Indeed, these are three 90s rap stars who died too soon.

Eazy-E

Eazy-E rose to fame and fortune as one of the founding members of the 80s rap collective N.W.A. Along with guys like Dr. Dre and Ice Cube, Eazy-E was the voice of a new movement in music. While some groups like Run-DMC were offering hopeful messages and ways to change the world, N.W.A. was telling you straight up how it was. The dark and dirty, the drugs and corruption. And Eazy-E was at the center of it. Sadly, his life of fame led him to his premature death. He died from HIV/AIDS on March 26, 1995, at just 30 years old.

Tupac Shakur

One side effect of the brash and bold West Coast music that N.W.A. popularized in the 90s was an air of violence. Suddenly, rap music became dangerous. And in the crosshairs were rappers Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. Two geniuses who defined the era and sadly died far too young without knowing life was like outside the 90s. As for Tupac, the man was like a human ball of flame. He could bite and burn, singe and scar. And he could do it while being interviewed on the streets by news cameras or while in the studio. Sadly, his life ended amidst the violence of East Coast versus West Coast rap. Tupac was killed on September 13, 1996. He was just 25.

The Notorious B.I.G.

Keeping up the negative trend, Biggie died on March 9, 1997, mere months after Tupac’s death. And of course they are related, if in no other way than Biggie and Tupac will always be related in the culture. Two artists who left the Earth far too early. Biggie was a lyricist’s lyricist. He used inventive wordplay, pop culture references, and a sense of joy to light up his songs. But he was also caught up in the violent beef between the two coasts, and his music couldn’t escape that feud. He was 24 when he was killed. If only all the people on this list could have lived longer, the world would be a richer place.

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