We are hit this summer with another tragic loss, this time Boot Camp Click and Duck Down Records powerhouse, SEAN PRICE aka Sean P aka Ruk from HELTAH SKELTAH. Our hearts go out to his wife and 3 kids, his rhyme partner Rockness, the whole label and staff, friends and family. Sean was a friend to MCMI and was close friends with PH (Pumpkinhead) who passed away 2 months earlier, so a lot of mutual friends of both of them are left with that “wtf?” feeling, like “what is really going on?” We are losing our people – good people – who were close to us in friendship and who were champions of this thing we call Hip Hop, pushing the culture forward with every rhyme, every album or mixtape, even skits, freestyles and jokes.
But Sean P left us a lot of great music, so we have to celebrate his life, much in the same way as we celebrate PH. For those who want to donate directly to Sean Price wife and kids, you can do that here, but you can also support by purchasing his music. As an independent artist on an independent label (Duck Down), your purchases are guaranteed to support his family, while at the same time bringing you joy, listening to his music.
Sean Price music is like fried chicken, collard greens and mac n cheese. If you love Hip Hop, you can’t get enough of it. He was an inspiration to all of us who do this (from your most underground “backpack” rapper to Jay Z), because he did it for the love of the music. That sounds cliche, but it’s true. Listen to him on the radio, in interviews he skips past all the marketing, the “fans get to know you as a person” stories, and just proclaims, “I just rap. I’m here to rap. I’m the nicest at this, nobody can F— with me. That’s it.” That’s all he cared about, being the best lyricist, the dopest MC, and he maintained that standard up until his last day.
We are so lucky that Sean Price was actually finished with his next project! They were planning his album release party for “Songs In The Key Of Price”, when he left us so suddenly. You can get the single Sean Price: Planet Apes or the full album, itself or in a package that includes the Songs In The Key of Price CD + digital MP3 download, Sean Price ‘Key’ bottle opener, P! socks, Songs In The Key of Price T-shirt, and RIP! T-shirt. The first 100 orders will receive an autographed copy of the Songs in The Key of Price CD.
Sean Price was there for MCMI many times, when we needed him. He rocked the COUNTY OF KINGS tee-shirt in Pete Rock & Smif N Wessun’s video for “That’s Hard,” (featuring Sean Price and Styles P). He collaborated with PH on Batterin’ Bars, on his album Mic Tyson. He was the first to tell us he wanted to perform at the Pumpkinhead Memorial Tribute Concert. That night, I got word from Royal Flush that Sean could not make it. I knew he wouldn’t have missed that show for the world, so I was a little concerned about if he was okay. Three days later, Sean was called to Paradise. He was 43 years old and survived by his wife and 3 children. #DejaVu all over again.
And so, once again too soon, we have a trending hashtag, numerous articles and radio stations playing tributes to a great lyricist. (Sidebar: Why does it take tragedy for radio to suddenly be filled with great Hip Hop music?)
Several years ago, we through a fundraiser for the Robin Hood Foundation, MCMI Presents Vol. VII, which Sean Price headlined for us, with Pumpkinhead, Hydra, Shabaam Sahdeeq, DJ Evil Dee and some others. Even though neither Sean nor none of us were millionaires, it was all for charity.
That’s the type of person he was. When his brother PH called him for the favor, to headline the bill for a good cause, he was there.
Now we are gearing up for the SEAN PRICE MEMORIAL SHOW @ S.O.B’s, August 27th. Tickets available at: tktwb.tw/1PiOwQB. All proceeds will be donated to the family.
Salute Sean Price, one of the nicest and one of the nicest, on the mic and off of it. An MC’s MC. A father, husband and friend to many. We are proud to have heard him utter the words “MCMI, people call me Sean.” R.I.P. Sean Price. Your music and legacy live on forever. #ripSeanP #ripSeanPrice #RestInParadise
@GMS_MCMI | @MCMIreport | @DuckDownMusic
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