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What’s going on with all these rappers dying in their 40s?
We pay homage to seven who died way too soon
4:21 PMThe condolences for Craig Mack lit up social media and had the old school and old school at heart offering tributes. But he’s just the latest artist gone too soon. For some of our favorite MCs, the 40s have been the kiss of death.
Craig Mack
Craig Mack
Johnny Nunez/WireImage
May 10, 1971-March 12, 2018
Age: 46
Cause of death: Heart failure
Prodigy of Mobb Deep
Prodigy
Jason Kempin/WireImage
Nov. 2, 1974-June 20, 2017
Age: 42
Cause of death: Complications from sickle-cell anemia
Heavy D
Rapper Heavy D on the set of a video circa 1988 in New York City.
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
May 24, 1967-Nov. 8, 2011
Age: 44
Cause of death: Pulmonary embolism caused by deep-vein thrombosis
Nate Dogg
Musician Nate Dogg poses for a portrait session circa 2001 in Los Angeles.
Estevan Oriol/Getty Images
Aug. 19, 1969-March 15, 2011
Age: 41
Cause of death: Multiple strokes
Phife Dawg of A Tribe Called Quest
Phife Dawg
Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival
Nov. 20, 1970-March 22, 2016
Age: 45
Cause of death: Complications from diabetes
MCA of the Beastie Boys
MCA
Martyn Goodacre/Getty Images
Aug. 5, 1964-May 4, 2012
Age: 47
Cause of death: Cancer
Guru
Guru
Paul Natkin/WireImage