Iconic hip hop pioneer, street artist, sculptor and performance artist Rammellzee (aka RAMMΣLLZΣΣ) has died aged 49. He passed away with his wife at his side in Far Rockaway, Queens – where he grew up. Rumours about his death circulated for a day before confirmation from Fab 5 Freddy on his Twitter page.

Rammellzee (born 1960) became well known in graffiti circles in the late 1970s with his artwork on A-trains and other Queens train-lines. He was also a hip hop artist who influenced the likes of Beastie Boys – especially Ad-Rock. He was involved with Style Wars graffiti documentary– with his best known track 'Beat Bop' being used as the theme song. He was also featured in Wild Style in which he appeared in a black trench-coat, holding a shotgun.

'Beat Bop' (with K-Rob) is a 10-minute trip that was released in 1983 with its outerspace funk bass, violins and seemingly haphazard rhymes. Rammellzee's friend Basquiat produced and deigned the record's cover art.

The artist (whose real name is a mystery, he legally changed his name to Rammellzee early on and few know his birth name) thought himself a philosopher of sorts, peddling his theory of Gothic Futurism. Gothic Futurism "describes the battle between letters and their symbolic warfare against any standardizations enforced by the rules of the alphabet". [from updownmagazine.com] He often appeared in public wearing self-made masks and costumes based on different characters, one called Reaper Grimm.

Later Rammellzee became known for his abstract sculpture that seemed to be from another planet and another era. His work is on permanent display at the MoMA.

A pioneer and an icon, Rammellzee's influence and legacy won't fade.

Rammellzee, Basquiat and Toxic C1:


Rammellzee and K-Rob 'Beat Bop':


Rammellzee in Wild Style:


Rammellzee explaining his art:


Rammellzee gives advice: