Geto Boys Rapper Bushwick Bill Is Dead

A big name in hip-hop has died: Bushwick Bill, a member of the influential Geto Boys trio, died at age 52 on Sunday night from pancreatic cancer, reports the AP. The band exploded into fame in the 1980s behind hits such as "Mind Playing Tricks on Me." Bushwick Bill, real name Richard Shaw, was born with dwarfism in Jamaica and first performed as Little Billy, per Rolling Stone. He joined Willie D and Scarface as the third member of Houston's Geto Boys in 1986, and gained notoriety in 1991 when he shot his own eye out during a fight with his girlfriend.

Bushwick Bill later admitted he was high on PCP and everclear alcohol when the accident happened, and he wrote about it in his 1992 song "Ever So Clear." Earlier this year, he referenced the song in an interview with TMZ about his cancer diagnosis. "I died and came back already on June 19, 1991, so I know what it's like on the other side," he said. His publicist said Sunday that Bushwick Bill "passed away peacefully this evening" surrounded by his immediate family. (The music world is also mourning Dr. John.)