Rapper Saafir Dies at 54, His Friend Xzibit Confirms: 'My Soul Is Crushed'
“We have so much history I can’t even explain what I’m feeling right now," the rapper said of his late friend
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Saafir in September 1994Prominent Oakland rapper Saafir has died. He was 54.
On Tuesday, Nov. 19, fellow emcee Xzibit (born Alvin Nathaniel Joiner) confirmed the death of his former Golden State Project groupmate Saafir (born Reggie Gibson).
“I can’t believe I’m writing this right now, but don’t know what else to do at the moment,” Xzibit, 50, wrote in an Instagram post, explaining he learned of Saafir’s death at approximately 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday.
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Saafir performs at the Riviera Theatre in Chicago, Illinois in September 1994His post contained a single photo of the Trigonometry rapper posing for a portrait.
Xzibit, who referred to the late rapper as his “brother,” added, “We have so much history I can’t even explain what I’m feeling right now. We surrounded him and let him know how much we loved him. He can rest now.”
Before ending his tribute, the Gridiron Gang actor urged those who “rocked with us from the Hip Hop community” to “be so solid and reach out” to Gibson’s loved ones who need “to be supported during this time.”
“That’s all I have right now. My soul is crushed. We love you Bro,” he concluded.
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Saafir, Craig Mack, The D.O.C. and late rapper Notorious B.I.G — 1994Golden State Project was a rap group that consisted of Xzibit, Saafir and Ras Kass. Gibson was also part of the rap group Digital Underground, which formed in 1987 and included talents like Shock G and Tupac Shakur.
Related: Shock G, Humpty Hump Rapper and Frontman of Digital Underground, Dead at 57
In addition to his music career, the late artist is also credited as appearing in the 1993 film Menace II Society as Harold Lawson opposite Larenz Tate, Jada Pinkett Smith and Samuel L. Jackson.
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According to TMZ, Saafir died in his hometown of Oakland. While his cause of death has yet to be determined, the outlet reported Gibson had a host of health issues and began using a wheelchair after having a cancerous tumor removed from his spine.
A rep for Saafir did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
