His music will live on – Brixton rapper Ty dies of coronavirus aged just 47
Brixton rapper Ty, nominated for the Mercury prize for his 2003 album Upwards, has died aged 47 after contracting coronavirus.
His press representative this evening, Thursday, announced his death from the disease.
He had been admitted to hospital in early April after suffering complications with the virus. Ty was placed in a medically-induced coma shortly after and received treatment in intensive care.
A fundraiser that was launched in early April said the rapper, born Ben Chijioke, was “admitted into the hospital with medical complications related to Covid-19. Shortly after, he was put in a medically induced coma to temporarily sedate to help his body receive the appropriate treatment”. His condition improved, however, and he was moved out of intensive care in mid-April.
A fundraising page, set up to help him financially, closed when he appeared to be recovering. His friend Diane Laidlaw said at the time: “Hey guys. Just to update you that TY is now out of the intensive care unit and is on a normal ward. He is doing much better. Super excited.
“I closed the page a few days ago but several people contacted me because they wanted to donate so I opened it again for a few days. We have officially closed it now. Thank you guys.”
An introductory message from Laidlow after the page was set up, read: ‘Ben is a close friend of mine and a god-father to my son. If I was to know anything about TY is that he would give you his last penny if he had it to give. Always donating his time and energy to anyone that needs it. I have set up this page so when he comes out he won’t have to ask for ANYTHING. The only thing he needs to do is rest and recover. TY has been a beacon in helping the community, now he needs the community to be a beacon for him.”
Ty was born in London in 1972 to Nigerian parents at St Thomas’s hospital and lived in Myatt’s Field, Brixton.
He went to Caldecot Primary School, now demolished, then Archbishop Michael Ramsey Secondary School, both in Camberwell, and then studied politics and law at South Thames College.
He released his debut album, The Awkward, in 2001, which blazed a trail for a new wave of British rap – when the scene was in its infancy.
Upwards, released in 2003, earned him a Mercury Prize nomination. Other nominees were Amy Winehouse and The Streets – but Franz Ferdinand took the award.
Over the years he also collaborated with De La Soul, Soweto Kinch and Streatham’s Roots Manuva.
He went on to record three further solo albums, the most recent being A Work of Heart in 2018.
BBC DJ Charlie Sloth called him “a friend, a role model and a true foundation to UK rap”; Blak Twang wrote that he was “so numb” following Chijioke’s death.
Ghetts wrote Instagram: “RIP TY. This ones deep I had a lot of respect for ty one of the first from the older generation to embrace me and show me love fly high ty.”
Snips tweeted: “This man did a lot for us. A true London legend. RIP.”
Roots Manuva wrote: “Rest my Brother. You did good.”
Luther star Idris Elba led the tributes, describing Ty as a “UK hip hop pioneer”.
Elba wrote on Instagram: “I’m broken by this man. I remember when we did a tune somewhere in S.london back in the day, that was when I was doing 1st season of Luther and we talked about the Wire a lot. Prayers to your family .”
Noel Clarke, who wrote the screenplay for the film Kidulthood, directed and starred in the sequels, Adulthood and Brotherhood and award-winning Doctor Who actor, was also among those who paid tribute.
He said on Twitter: “Except a few, most people wouldn’t know but this guy was my Friend. Today Covid took him. Stay home. This thing is not a joke.”
Producer Hudson Mohawke said Ty’s music “had such a big impact on me at the time, still sounds fresh today”. The author Nikesh Shukla wrote: “Rest in peace Ty. You were one of the nicest people I ever met. Such a huge huge loss … Devastated.”
TOBY PORTER WRITES:
I came to Ty late, through his only solo single to chart, 2004’s Oh You Want More. I heard it for the first time probably 10 years later – I was still listening to the Black Eyed Peas in 2004 – but it still stood out. I loved the energy and the optimism – and the fairground sample.
So when his label got in touch in February 2018 to interview him for the release of A World of Heart, I was extremely anxious.
I was almost an hour late for the interview at the Seven Bar in Brixton Village, because of a snarl-up in Forest Hill – and being unable to find somewhere to park. I had no chance to research his life properly.
I was astounded to find him still there. Most other so-called stars would have left long before. I was so very grateful. What struck me was the missionary passion and the humility. He was acutely aware of what he owed to Brixton, to his family, and to music.
During an hour-long conversation he expressed his wish to make music that would last longer than six months.
His ambition had already been achieved. But he wanted to create something different for a more sophisticated audience. That also, he achieved.
Other South London artists may have had more success – some are now known all over the world. But they all owe Ty a debt for showing them the path to honesty and creative originality. And from there a route to success.
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