Legendary artist and Polynesian Hip Hop pioneer GANXSTA Ridd of Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E passes at the age of 52.
The death of the Samoan-American rapper, who had worked with the likes of Eminem, Cypress Hill‘s B-Real and Faith No More, was confirmed yesterday by friend and fellow rapper Ice-T.
“I just woke up to the Terrible news,” Ice-T tweeted. “My very close homie ‘Gangsta Rid’ of Boo-Yaa Tribe passed away yesterday from Covid… So sad. My love and condolences go out to the family.”
Paul “Ganxsta Ridd” Devoux was one of seven members of the Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E clan. All being of Samoan heritage. Born in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, with his brothers Vincent, Donald, Danny, Ted, David and Roscoe Devoux.
The Devoux brothers started as a dance crew called the Blue City Strutters before becoming a full-fledged rap group called Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E, which was formed by Ridd in 1988.
They released their debut album ‘New Funky Nation’ in 1990, which combined rap and live instrumentation, which was something not really being done at the time. They would go on to release seven other albums, including 2003’s ‘West Koasta Nostra’ which featured the track ‘911’ with Eminem and B-Real.
One of the groups members and Paul’s brother Ted “Godfather” Devoux passed away at the age of 55 in 2018. The details surrounding his death were never revealed.
Tributes have poured in for Ganxsta Ridd on social media, including a second tweet from Ice-T, who wrote: “Unfortunately today my Twitter page is a Tribute to two brothers that are gone far to soon. ‘Godfather’ of Boo-Yaa Tribe.. Who recently died.. And his younger brother Gangsta Rid, who passed away yesterday from Covid.”
He added: “I’m speechless. Family to me and WestCoast Legends.”
Tanoai Reed, the longtime stuntman for The Rock, wrote on Instagram: “Sending my deepest condolences to the whole Devoux Aiga and my BooYaa Tribe brothers. Rest easy my uso @ganxstaridd”
“Thank you for setting the stage for future generations of Pacific Island artists, and thank you for keeping me banging hard in the gym and getting me hyped before every football game. See you when we get there.”
We lost a true legend, one of the greatest pioneers and a humble soul. Forever remembered for the pathway he created for the newer generations.
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