Rapper Lichelle Marie Laws, widely known as Bo$$, passed away at the age of 54. She was a pioneer in ’90s rap, celebrated for her iconic album “Born Gangstaz” and for being one of the first female artists signed to Def Jam. The record label officially announced her death on Wednesday.
In a statement posted to Instagram, shared along with a photo of Laws in sunglasses and head-to-toe Carhartt, Def Jam wrote,
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Lichelle Marie Laws, also known as Bo$$.”
The statement continued,
“Bo$$ will be remembered as a pioneer in hip hop, being one of the first female rappers signed to Def Jam in the early 1990’s. We extend our prayers and condolences to her family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
The cause of her death is reported to be kidney failure.
According to a source, in 2011 Laws was diagnosed with renal disease, a condition characterized by the kidneys’ failure to function properly.
Additionally, she experienced a stroke in 2017. At the time of her passing, she required a procedure that would have enabled her to undergo a kidney transplant, as detailed by her family.
Laws, originally from Detroit, rose to prominence after establishing herself in the local rap-battle circuit.
Alongside her DJ partner Irene “Dee” Moore, she ventured to Los Angeles to pursue her musical aspirations. Immersed in the L.A. music scene, Laws honed her craft before catching the attention of renowned West Coast rapper DJ Quik.
Their collaboration on a track garnered the interest of Def Jam co-founder Russell Simmons, propelling Laws into the spotlight.
Following her rise to prominence, the hip-hop artist secured a record deal with the West Coast division of Def Jam, a groundbreaking achievement as the first woman to do so. Her debut album, “Born Gangstaz,” released in 1993, garnered widespread acclaim.
Produced by notable figures such as Jam Master Jay and Def Jef, the album soared to the No. 3 position on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Additionally, the track “Deeper” achieved remarkable success, reaching the No. 1 spot on the Hot Rap Tracks chart.
Bo$$ was celebrated for her hardcore gangster-style music, which frequently incorporated elements of irony.
In a 2004 interview, it was revealed that despite the initial wave of positive reviews for her album, some critics failed to grasp the satire in her work, leading to questions about her authenticity as a “gangster” artist.
She told the outlet, “Critics started f—ing with me, sayin’ ‘She’s from a middle-class neighborhood, how can she be gangsta?’ Ya know I killed a million n—-s on that record. They weren’t getting it. There’s gangsters all over the place — ones that went to Harvard in the business world.”
The musician’s second album was slated for release on Def Jam, but the label rejected her demos, resulting in her being dropped from the roster.
Consequently, she never had the opportunity to release a follow-up album.
Afterward, the rapper known for “Recipe of a Hoe” relocated to Texas, where she pursued a career as a radio DJ.
While in Texas, she continued to release music independently while also prioritizing her health, especially following a kidney failure in 1999.