The hip-hop world is mourning a tragic loss.
Saafir—an Oakland-based rapper known for his appearance in the 1993 film Menace II Society and for albums like 1994’s Boxcar Sessions—died on Nov. 19, according to a statement from his longtime friend Xzibit. He was 54.
Saafir—born Reggie Gibson—passed away around 8:45 in the morning while surrounded by friends and family, per the “X” rapper.
“We have so much history I can’t even explain what I’m feeling right now,” Xzibit wrote in his statement shared to Instagram Nov. 19. “We surrounded him and let him know how much we loved him. He can rest now.”
And the Pimp My Ride alum expressed empathy for the hurt Saafir’s family must be feeling, saying, “Friends, Family, everyone that rocked with us from the Hip Hop community, if you could be so solid and reach out for @chopblack his younger brother, and @lilsaafir his son, the family really needs to be supported during this time.”
