On Friday (December 17), many people in the hip-hop community posted prayers and well wishes for their friend and U.T.F.O. member Kangol Kid, causing concern about the status of the Brooklyn emcee’s health. Unfortunately, on Saturday morning (December 18), Kangol Kid passed on after a valiant fight to stage 4 colon cancer only 10 months after his diagnosis. 

According to HipHopDx’s, Van Silk, who is being treated at the same hospital, Kangol Kid, passed away early Saturday morning at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, New York. 

“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.”

Kangol Kid received the unfortunate news about his diagnosis in February, immediately starting chemotherapy.  But his condition grew increasingly worse over the last few months. In October, Kangol revealed he’d been hospitalized and needed 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.”

Condolences are beginning to pour in on social media. Many fans, friends, and family remember the massive contributions Kangol made to hip-hop music and culture. Originally a b-boy along with his dance partner Doctor Ice, Kangol eventually went on to form U.T.F.O with Educated Rapper (who died in June 2017), Doctor Ice, and Mix Master Ice.

U.T.F.O became one of the most popular hip-hop groups in the world, breaking out with the classic 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 noted Kangol’s undeniable impact in an Instagram tribute to the late, great MC.

“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.”

Rest in peace to a hip-hop legend. Our condolences go out to Kangol Kid’s family and loved ones.