Veteran Comedian & Memorable Hip Hop Skit Personality Ricky Harris Passes Away

The Hip Hop community is sadly reminded that 2016 isn’t officially over losing beloved entertainers. Comedian, actor, and producer Ricky Harris died of a sudden heart attack on Tuesday (December 26), according to Okayplayer and confirmed by his family on social media. He was 54.

Harris is widely known to rap fans for his hilarious cameo appearances as a 1970s gold tooth-capped nightclub owner in Snoop Dogg’s “Doggy Dogg World” video and Snoop’s grey-haired father in “Gin and Juice.” He’s notably remembered for his roles as the faux radio host DJ EZ Dicc and Saul-T-Nuts on WBALLZ radio station for the skits on Snoop’s “Aint No Fun (If The Homies Cant Have None)” and “Tha Shiznit” off his landmark debut Doggystyle and on Tha Dogg Pound’s seminal LP Dogg Food.

The funnyman originated his character on Ice Cube’s “Turn Off The Radio” from his 1990 solo debut album Amerikkka’s Most Wanted.

Harris’ other notable appearances on the silver screen were in Poetic Justice, Heat, Dope, and This Christmas. Harris also had TV roles on NYPD Blue, CSI: Miami, Everybody Hates Chris and The People Vs. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.

The comedian began his career at the Comedy Act Theatre in the Crenshaw section of Los Angeles in the late 1980s, where he used to deejay. Comedy legend Robin Harris was the MC of the club, and also gave Ricky his start performing on stage in the same schedule as other 1980s chitlin circuit comics including Robert Townsend, Steve Harvey, Eddie Murphy, Cedric The Entertainer and Sinbad. Ricky is most known for performing on 1990s comedy staples Def Comedy Jam and BET’s Comic View.

Left Coast legends such Snoop Dogg, Warren G, Big Tray Deee and DJ Pooh posted their condolences on Instagram and Twitter upon the sad news of their longtime friend’s passing. Also, Questlove, Chuck D and Kid Capri tweeted their personal memories about Harris, and comedy favorites J.B. Smoove and Cedric The Entertainer spoke on his legacy.

HipHopDX sends our condolences to the Harris family and friends for the loss of the talented comic.

C u when I get there like we used to do in church on the east side tell Nate to hold my note 🙏🏾

A photo posted by snoopdogg (@snoopdogg) on Dec 26, 2016 at 4:19pm PST

Gonna miss my family and. Friend. We made this up on the fly we talked about this day rest well 🙏🏾

A video posted by snoopdogg (@snoopdogg) on Dec 26, 2016 at 7:26pm PST

Damn, we lost Ricky Harris. The world is a little less funny today. RIP homie. pic.twitter.com/5AalZndlx2

— Ice Cube (@icecube) December 27, 2016

RickyHARRIS got 1st light from @icecube @SIRJINX & US doin voices on AmerikkasMostWanted. We were all in resPEct to his ability. Tough year

— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) December 27, 2016

Rip Ricky Harris 😡 pic.twitter.com/yJGUDLQHXY

— DJ POOH (@DJPooh) December 26, 2016

RIP Ricky Harris Dam this crazy please send prayers out for his family wow this hurts man.

A photo posted by Warren G (@warreng) on Dec 26, 2016 at 4:08pm PST

R.I.P Mr. Ricky Harris { aka The Dogg Pound's infamous DJ E-Z Dick 187.4 FM on your dial }: Long Beach comedic genius and legend. Acted in the movies "Heat", "Hard Rain", etc. One of the real ones from the city. God bless your soul; we gon' miss you, Slick. Give mines to Nate Dogg, Pac and Big Syke. E/S

A photo posted by THA GENERAL IZ BACC (@big_traydeee) on Dec 26, 2016 at 4:14pm PST

I can't believe my friend passed away today,,, I made history with this dude on Def comedy jam, toured the country together #rickyharris pic.twitter.com/ijslWVGkcn

— THE REAL KID CAPRI (@kidcapri101) December 27, 2016

Man. Taadow himself man. Dog our FIRST LA show in 94. Ricky Harris showed us so much love man.… https://t.co/yfMWfxUb52

— Questlove Gomez (@questlove) December 27, 2016

RIP Ricky Harris.

— Dane Cook (@DaneCook) December 27, 2016

Comedians… We give a piece of ourselves everytime we step on a stage. You are appreciated. Rest in Heaven Ricky Harris. #RIP #RickyHarris

— JB Smoove (@ohsnapjbsmoove) December 27, 2016

R.I.P Ricky Harris

— Lloydbanks (@Lloydbanks) December 27, 2016

Devastated!!! #RIP to the One and Only #RickyHarris Always been a super solid dude https://t.co/XPUQqx5sia

— CedricTheEntertainer (@CedEntertainer) December 27, 2016

Source : hiphopdx[dot]com

Troy Ave Shot In Brooklyn

Troy Ave, who dropped off his new mixtape White Christmas 4 just the other day, was reportedly shot while driving in Brooklyn on Christmas day.

The New York rapper was reportedly driving in his red Maserati at around 4:20 PM when he was stricken by a bullet on his arm, and another grazed his head, before he crashed his vehicle into a parked car. The incident occurred on E 91st St & Linden Blvd. 

The 31-year old MC is currently at Brookdale Hospital, in stable condition. He's expected to survive his wounds. Troy Ave's lawyer spoke on the shooting in a statement to Billboard, elaborating on the circumstances.

"Tonight, Troy Ave was targeted again… on Christmas," his attorney Scott Leemon said, "In Booklyn, going to meet his family for the holiday, he was shot two times. Thankfully, he will survive the second attempt on his life. As we have said from the beginning — he is a victim. We pray for his speedy recovery."

We'll update you once more information becomes available.

Dope boy Troy all good, Merry Christmas

A photo posted by 50 Cent (@50cent) on Dec 25, 2016 at 8:17pm PST

Troy Ave Shot In Arm & Head While On His Way To Visit Family For Christmas

Brooklyn, NY – Troy Ave was reportedly shot in the arm and a bullet grazed his head while on his way to visit his family for Christmas in Brooklyn, according to News 12.

The 31-year-old artist, born Roland Collins, was reportedly riding in a red Maserati on E 91st St & Linden Blvd around 4:20 p.m. when he was shot and then crashed into a parked car.

Rapper Troy Ave was shot in the arm&grazed in the head in #Brooklyn while driving a red Maserati on E 91st St&Linden Blvd at 4:20pm. #source pic.twitter.com/bSds7Bgkpb

— Allison Papson (@AllisonPapson) December 26, 2016

He is currently in stable condition at Brookdale Hospital and is expected to survive his injuries, according to his lawyer.

“Tonight, Troy Ave was targeted again… on Christmas,” his attorney, Scott Leemon, said in a statement to Billboard. “In Brooklyn, going to meet his family for the holiday, he was shot two times. Thankfully, he will survive the second attempt on his life. As we have said from the beginning — he is a victim. We pray for his speedy recovery.”

Ave was also shot in an incident earlier this year at a T.I. concert, where his close friend and bodyguard Ronald McPhatter died.

The rapper was indicted for his alleged involvement in the shooting, although he maintains he was acting in self-defense. He is in the process of suing Live Nation and Irving Plaza for unspecified damages, legal fees for “negligence.”

He was also recently the victim of an extortion plot over an alleged stolen sex tape.

Prayers and well wishes to Troy Ave and his family during this difficult time.

Source : hiphopdx[dot]com

Barack & Michelle Obama Share Their Last Holiday Message As First Family

The Obama family is leaving the White House in under a month, and as a nation, we must cherish the last moments we have with America's first family. Today, Michelle and Barack posted their final holiday message video, and we got many feels.

Rife with jokes, the Obamas focused on the service of America's veterans. Here's an excerpt of what Michelle had to say:

“No one better embodies that spirit of service than the men and women who wear our country’s uniform and their families ... As always, many of our troops are far from home this time of year and their families are serving and sacrificing right along with them. Their courage and dedication allow the rest of us to enjoy the season. That’s why we’ve tried to serve them as well as they’ve served this country.”

Watch Barack and Michelle's holiday message below, and let us know what you think in the comments section. Are you gonna miss these two in 2017?

Beyonce & Adele Scheduled To Perform At The 2017 Grammy's

It goes without saying that the Grammy’s always put on a great show, but this year’s event may be shaping up to be one of the best in years. On Friday, it was revealed that two of music’s biggest voices, Beyonce & Adele, will both be taking the stage to perform.

US Weekly reports that the performances were confirmed by the show’s executive producer Ken Ehrlich, who said it’s very hard to say no to the Grammy’s. “Very few people say no to the Grammys. Over all of the years I’ve been doing the show, there have been three or four acts who’ve actually said no,” Ehrlich stated.

In addition to the performances, Beyonce & Adele are both heavily nominated for the award show as well, with Beyonce leading all artists with 9 nods & Adele behind her with 5. 

Look for the Grammy’s to be hosted by James Corden & go down live February 12 at 8 PM EST on CBS. Set your DVR’s now, you won’t want to miss this show.

[Via]