A Mercury Prize-nominated rapper based in the U.K. — has reportedly passed away from complications due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
The Nigerian British artist, born Ben Chijioke, died on Thursday after contracting pneumonia while in recovery, according to a GoFundMe previously set up for Ty.
The rapper’s death was confirmed by his team on Thursday. He was hospitalised after contracting the virus and placed in a medically-induced coma.
“It is with much sadness that I have to report the passing of Ben Chijioke, better known as TY Chijioke on the 7th May 2020, close friends, family and fans are devastated of his death,” an update for the campaign read.
“Since then TY’s condition had been improving but last week while on a normal ward he had contracted pneumonia which worsened his recovery and ultimately TY’s body couldn’t fight back anymore,” the page said. “This is a shock to everyone.”
A fundraising to fund his medical bill was closed on 19 April when he appeared to be recovering after leaving the ICU.
Ty first shot to prominence in 2001 with his The Awkward. His second album Upwards was nominated for The Mercury Prize in 2004.
He went onto release three more albums with his last being A Work Of Heart in 2018. Last year Ty also formed a supergroup called Kingdem featuring rappers Blak Twang and Rodney P.
The rap superstar also collaborated with artists including Soweto Kinch, De La Soul and Roots Manuva.
Ty was born in London to Nigerian Igbo parents.
However, he spent many years of his youth growing up with private foster parents in Jaywick, Essex as reported in a 2019 Channel 4 News feature by Symeon Brown.
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