Rapper Lichelle Marie Laws, known professionally as Bo$$, has passed away at the age of 54. She was a prominent figure in ‘90s rap, celebrated for her album Born Gangstaz and for being one of the first female artists signed to Def Jam.
Def Jam confirmed her death in a statement on Wednesday, expressing deep sadness over the loss of the hip-hop pioneer. Laws, also known as Bo$$, was remembered as a trailblazer in the industry.
According to reports, Laws succumbed to kidney failure on Monday. In 2011, she was diagnosed with renal disease, a condition where the kidneys lose their normal function. Additionally, she suffered a stroke in 2017.
Her family had set up a GoFundMe to raise funds for a procedure that would have enabled her to undergo a kidney transplant.
Originally from Detroit, Laws moved to Los Angeles with her DJ partner Irene “Dee” Moore to pursue a music career. She caught the attention of DJ Quik, leading to a record deal with Def Jam's West Coast division, a groundbreaking achievement for a female artist.
Her debut album, Born Gangstaz, released in 1993, received critical acclaim and reached the No. 3 spot on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The track “Deeper” from the album also topped the Hot Rap Tracks chart.
Known for her hardcore gangster style infused with irony, Bo$$ faced criticism from some who questioned her authenticity. Despite the success of her first album, her sophomore project was never released as Def Jam rejected her demos, resulting in her departure from the label.
Following her music career, Bo$$ moved to Texas where she worked as a radio DJ and focused on her health after a kidney failure in 1999. She expressed aspirations to release more music in the future.
Bo$$'s legacy in hip hop will be remembered by fans and industry peers alike, as she leaves behind a significant impact on the genre.
