Culture
08 May 20

COVID-19: Mercury-nominated rapper Ty dies, aged 47

The UK rapper was nominated for the Mercury Prize in 2004.

Tributes have been pouring in for acclaimed UK hip-hop artist Ty, who has died after contracting coronavirus, aged 47.

Born in London to Nigerian parents, Ty (aka Ben Chijioke) released his debut album, Awkward, in 2001. His second album, Upwards, was nominated for the Mercury Prize in 2004 – alongside albums by Amy Winehouse, Snow Patrol, The Streets, Belle & Sebastian, Keane, Basement Jaxx and the ultimate winner, Franz Ferdinand.

"Ty’s got a voice and a flow it’s difficult to get sick of," Barry O'Donoghue wrote in his original Hot Press review of the album in 2003. "The UK veteran draws from soul, funk and a dash of Afrobeat, and ... there’s an effective combination of party joints (‘Ha Ha’, ‘Wait A Minute’, the 80s funk-tinged ‘Groovement’) and more insightful numbers (the soulful, epic ‘Rain’, the excellent Afrobeat-y protest song ‘The Willing’, the swoonsome soul of ‘Dream’). Also name checks Ronnie Whelan for some reason. Extra point."

A 'Community Support For Ty' fundraiser launched last month on GoFundMe, which raised £20,000, noted that Ty "had been admitted into the hospital with medical complications related to COVID-19. Shortly after, he was put in a medically induced coma to temporarily sedate. To help his body receive the appropriate treatment."

In an update posted on the site yesterday, May 7, organiser Diane Laidlaw announced Ty's death. She stated that his "condition had been improving but last week while on a normal ward he had contracted pneumonia which worsened his recovery and ultimately Ty's body couldn't fight back anymore."

Idris Elba is among the stars who have paid tribute to the acclaimed rapper.

Rest in peace TY... UK hip hop pioneer. I’m broken by this man. I remember when we did a tune somewhere in https://t.co/yihT4kvV2k back in the day, that was when I was doing 1st season of Luther and we talked about the Wire a lot.… https://t.co/bmgEAnsZ8l

— Idris Elba (@idriselba) May 7, 2020

Except a few, most people wouldn’t know but this guy was my Friend. Today Covid took him. Stay home. This thing is not a joke. RIP @tymusic TY https://t.co/OpU036tl2w

— Noel Clarke (@NoelClarke) May 7, 2020

It breaks my heart to have to share this.
I had been waiting for @tymusic to recover before using this pic of our crew celebrating him.
It's now a tribute photo on a devastating day.
We are all in shock and trying to process this news.
Ty was our boy our whole lives. RIEP. pic.twitter.com/59oBokfyE6

— Jasmine Dotiwala (@jasminedotiwala) May 7, 2020

I'm so sad about the news that @tymusic passed away today. He was a huge part in the development of Hip Hop and spoken word in this country. An original no nonsense voice always sharp always witty. todays generation of rappers owe him a lot - a true gate opener. RIP

— Gilles Peterson (@gillespeterson) May 7, 2020

Such a sad day...
We lost a TRUE GENT & a fundamental part of the UK Hip Hop music movement..
So sorry to have to say Rest in Perfect Peace @tymusic
🙏🏽💙
-------------------------------https://t.co/kdYpxwA3jS

— Aaron Roach Bridgeman (@ARoachBridgeman) May 7, 2020