British Hip-Hop Pioneer Samantha Lawrence of Wee Papa Girl Rappers Passes Away at 55

LONDON — Samantha Lawrence, an iconic force in British hip-hop known by her stage name TY Tim, died on December 1, 2024, at age 55. As one half of the Wee Papa Girl Rappers, Lawrence, alongside her sister Sandra, captured the musical imagination of a generation. The duo is credited with catapulting the genre into the mainstream, mixing traditional sounds with fresh beats. The family stated that her death was due to complications from secondary …

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Phil Lesh, Grateful Dead Pioneer and Bass Virtuoso, Dies at 84

Marin County, CA – Phil Lesh, a seminal figure in rock music and a founding member of the Grateful Dead, died peacefully at his home on Friday morning, surrounded by family. He was 84. Born Philip Chapman Lesh on March 15, 1940 in Berkeley, California, Lesh was instrumental in redefining the role of the bass guitar in rock music. With his nearly 30-year career with the Grateful Dead, he shifted the bass from its traditional …

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