Fans are left heartbroken after the tragic news of Rapper Ka‘s death. Known for his deep lyricism and conceptual albums, Kaseem Ryan, better known as Rapper Ka, built a loyal fanbase over his nearly two-decade-long career. However, his untimely death has left many wondering about the real cause of his passing.

Here’s everything you need to know about what happened to rapper Ka.

Rapper Ka passes away at 52, claims report

Rapper Ka had sorely passed away at the age of 52 with the cause of death presently unidentified. On his Instagram handle, his team released a statement confirming his demise on October 12 in New York City. It was mentioned that he died “unexpectedly.”

Remembering his legacy as a rapper and firefighter, the statement read, “As a 20-year veteran of the New York City Fire Department, he put his life on the line to protect his fellow citizens. Ka rose to the rank of FDNY captain and was a first responder on September 11, 2001, during the attacks on the World Trade Center. He leaves an extraordinary legacy as a recording artist, including eleven remarkable self-released solo albums.” Furthermore, they expect individuals to give the rapper’s family privacy as they grieve this profound loss.

Born Kaseem Ryan in Brownsville, Brooklyn, Ka discovered his passion for hip-hop at a young age. He pursued his interest full-time when he joined the Natural Elements band. However, he felt he lacked his craft in comparison to his other mates. Thus, he left the band.

Ka tried to give it a shot to his firefighter career at the New York City Fire Department at the end of the millennium, taking a break from music. In 2008, he returned to the music scene, dropping his first album Iron Works.

Throughout his career, he had received massive acclaim for his musical solo work.