Brooklyn-born rapper Kangol Kid, an influential artist behind one of the biggest hip-hop songs of all time, died Saturday at age 55.
The performer, who was part of the famed hip-hop group UTFO, had been diagnosed with colon cancer in early 2021.
Kangol Kid, whose real name was Shaun Shiller Fequiere, got his start as a break dancer before UTFO broke out on the hip hop scene.
UTFO — which stood for Untouchable Force Organization — was best known for the 1984 song “Roxanne, Roxanne,” about the members’ unrequited interest in a woman.
The hit kicked off a phenomenon known as the “Roxanne Wars,” in which other artists from New York released Roxanne-themed songs.
In 2017, Rolling Stone listed “Roxanne, Roxanne” as the 84th greatest hip hop song ever made.
UTFO, which formed in Brooklyn, also featured the members Doctor Ice, Mix Master Ice and Educated Rapper. Kangol Kid’s name stemmed from his frequent wearing of Kangol hats.
With News Wire Services
