Tributes paid to Cork rapper Trigger, who has died

Tributes are continuing to pour in following the death of Cork rapper Gary 'Trigger' Thompson on Sunday, October 25.

A well-established figure in Irish hip-hop for over a decade – often featuring on the online platform The LabTV Ireland, as well as on Irish radio – Trigger brought his Cork-forged sound to Los Angeles, where he developed connections and worked with numerous US artists.

His albums include 2014's Triggernometry and 2017's Double Perspective – while his latest single, 'A Blood, A Crip & An Irishman', featuring US rappers Glasses Malone and Kedaru, was released last year.

Over the course of his career, he also supported hip-hop legends Onyx, Sage Francis, and The Outlawz.

In 2022, he featured on an episode of the popular The Two Norries Podcast.

In a tribute shared to social media, Cork DJ and radio presenter Stevie G said that Trigger "always kept it real."

"Stayed true to his love of hip-hop no matter what musical fashions were in vogue, and went and worked with many of those he looked up to outside of Cork and across the world in the US," he wrote. "Never stopped making music and made a lot of friends along the way too. All the while rapping in his own Cork accent and representing his country, which he was very proud of..."

Dublin artist Flynn Johnson also stated that Trigger was one of the first homegrown rappers he'd "seen getting any sort of international love."

"He carried Irish hip-hop on his back and brought it to the US, in particular LA," his post continues. "They knew about it out there because of him, while being unapologetically and authentically himself. Heartbreaking and shocking stuff..."

Sharing a series of clips of himself and Trigger together, fellow Cork artist Bubba Shakespeare described his late friend as "one of the hardest working rappers" he knew.

"You can see the chemistry we had," his tribute continues. "We had a lot in common. I'm still shocked. You'll be missed bro. I found a few clips that shows the passion and love for what he did..."

 

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A post shared by Bubba Shakespeare (@bubba_shakespeare_)

In another post, Dublin rapper Versey said that "the Irish hip-hop scene has been rocked" by the loss of both Trigger and Irakli 'Ika' Shalikashvili within a month of each other.

"Two losses in the space of a few weeks, hard to take in," he reflected. "A real shock to Irish hip-hop and everyone who knew you both. Gone far too soon, but never forgotten. Sending love and strength to your families, friends and everyone affected by these heartbreaking losses."

Cork musician Myles Gaffney has also paid tribute to Trigger.

"It was an honour to have met and befriended Gary on my music journey," he wrote on social media. "Gary was an Irish Rap artist who contacted me a few years ago asking could he use my music on one of his tracks and would I sing a chorus on a track he had written titled 'Tales from the Northside' which I obliged without hesitation.

"I admired Trigger in how he went about his writing and his music, he did it his way, if you didnt like it then listen to something else which is very similar to my own attitude. Trigger wrote how he saw it and performed from the heart. He made his own contacts in America and rapped with big names even with Tupac Shakur's Outlawz which is something to behold .

"I recently spoke to Gary about the difficulties being an independent artist and the financial strain on self production and promotion and the outcome of the conversation was we were both in it for the music and the love of performing along with his cheeky smirk.

"Trigger it was a pleasure pal. Rap high in the Sky..."

Gary 'Trigger' Thompson's funeral is set to take place tomorrow, October 29, at St Enda's Church in Johnstown, Co. Cork.