South African pioneering rapper HHP (Hip Hop Pantsula) aka Jabba has been reported dead at the age of 38.
Lerato Sengadi, the rapper's wife and well known publicist confirmed the death to TimesLive.
"Yes, yes it's true. I am with the family at the moment," the paper quoted Lerato as saying.
The cause of death hasn't been confirmed yet.
HHP is one of the pioneering artists of the successful SA hip-hop subgenre motswako (Khuli Chana, Cassper Nyovest, Fifi Cooper etc.). He is also one of the first rappers to successfully mix hip-hop and kwaito, and was one of the first SA rappers to achieve mainstream success.
He has gifted us with hits such as "Tswaka," "Bosso," "Music and Lights," "Lekoko La Lekoko," and countless others, and released several gold-selling albums.
Jabba had just released a new EP aptly titled Feels Good To Be Back after a short hiatus from releasing solo music.
Those who knew the South African rapper and loved his music have been mourning on social media—here are their reactions.
It's still not real for many that South African rapper HHP is no longer.
Fans, friends and celebrities from South Africa and beyond have gathered on social media to mourn and express shock over Jabba's death.
HHP, born Jabulani Tsambo, was born on 14 September 1980. He grew up in Mafikeng, Pretoria, a township that would play a central role in the late 90s-early 00s era of Hip-Hop.
Debates in the corridors of South African Hip-Hop historians still ring loud on who exactly pioneered Motswako rap between HHP and his hometown cohort, Khuli Chana.
HHP’s success saw him release critically-acclaimed and commercially successful albums such as Maftown, YBA 2 NW and Acceptance Speech.
In one of his most successful single releases, HHP brought American singer, Amerie, on board for the remix of Music & Lights.
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