Vibe reports that Kangol, born Shaun Shiller Fequiere, succumbed to colon cancer. He had been fighting the disease for months prior to his passing. New York City promoter Van Silk spoke with HipHopDX on Saturday (December 18) and was able to confirm his death. “I’m hearing Kangol passed,” he wrote via text. “I was on with Mix Master Ice last night. Trying to find out. RIP KANGOL KID. He passed at 3:02 a.m. My prayers go out to my brother who fought a battle of colon cancer at Stage 4.”

Silk added: “Early on, we discussed our fight with this disease because my fight with colon cancer is stage 2. He told me it had spread in October. I encourage all to get your prostate and colon checked. May my brother Kangol Rest In Heaven.” Kangol Kid had received a Stage 4 cancer diagnosis in February and immediately started chemotherapy. While he put up a valiant fight, his condition grew increasingly worse over the last few months. In October, Kangol revealed he’d been hospitalized and needed more surgery. Originally a breakdancer, Kangol Kid made his breakout in Hip Hop as a member of the group U.T.F.O., which during the mid 1980s was one of the most popular rap and breakdance acts in the country.

In 1984, U.T.F.O.’s hit single “Roxanne, Roxanne” gained wide notoriety and climbed to the top of the urban music charts. In 1987, the group released their most popular selling album Lethal, which later that year became the number one selling rap album in the United States. In 1985, Kangol wrote and composed for Lisa Lisa Cult Jam’s debut album Lisa Lisa Cult Jam with Full Force. The LP is best known for the lead tracks, “I Wonder If I Take You Home,” “All Cried Out,” and “Can You Feel the Beat.”