Attrel Cordes aka Prince Be, who was a founding member of the successful 1990s hip-hop act PM Dawn, has passed away at the age of 46.

The rapper died on Friday, in his home state of New Jersey, as a result of renal kidney disease.

Cordes originally formed PM Dawn with brother Jarrett, known as DJ Minutemix, in 1988. Their first two albums Of The Heart, Of The Soul and Of The Cross: The Utopian Experience and The Bliss Album…? were Top 50 records in the US, peaking at No.48 and No.30 respectively. The latter featured the global hit ‘Set Adrift On Memory Bliss’, which sampled the Spandau Ballet hit ‘True’ to superb effect. The record went to No.1 in the Billboard 100.

They also had smash hits with ‘I’d Die Without You’ (which was used in the 1992 Eddie Murphy movie Boomerang) and ‘Looking Through Patient Eyes’ – in the video for which Prince Be appeared in a T-Shirt bearing the message “Thank you, Jesus."

In 1998, Jarret Cordes (also known as DJ Minutemix) was accused of sexually abusing a 14-year old relative and was arrested in Burlington County. While PM Dawn continued into the new millennium, the duo eventually parted ways, with Attrel Cordes continuing under the PM Dawn name with his cousin Doc G.

Prince Be suffered a stroke in 2005, which resulted in the left side of his body being paralysed. However, PM Dawn continued to operate, with Doc G to the fore.

Doc G paid tribute to his cousin via Facebook. "Prince Be Rest In Peace Forever More,” he said, "pain from diabetes can't harm you anymore."

And he added: "My Heart is at Peace B-Cuz U suffered so long, tell Grandma I said Hi & Stay Blisstatic & Strong."

There might just be the germ of a song there!