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*Craig Mack, the Long Island rapper who along with Notorious B.I.G. helped to launch Diddy’s Bad Boy Entertainment, has died at age 46, his producer confirmed to the New York Daily News.
Mack, who skyrocketed to fame in 1994 with his first single and biggest hit “Flava in Ya Ear,” died of heart failure at a hospital near his Walterboro, S.C., home Monday.
“God bless my friend. He was a good friend of mine,” said Alvin Toney, who produced Mack’s debut album “Project: Funk Da World” and his “Get Down Remix.”
Toney said he saw Mack for the final time last week during a visit to the Overcomer Ministry church he attends in Walterboro to film a documentary about the rapper, and his decision to pass on fame for a life of deep religious conviction.
“Nobody got to understand his story,” Toney said. “I wanted the world to know the talent he had. It was something I wanted people to enjoy, but it was cut short because he was very religious and wanted to go to church.”
Tony said Mack then told him that he had been ill for some time.
“He was prepared for whatever comes, to go home to the Lord,” Toney said. “He was prepared to do that. He wasn’t scared. He was ready.”
Mack is survived by a wife and two children, both adults, Toney said.
Mack’s death rocked the biggest names of New York hip-hop. “Rest In Peace! Good brother,” tweeted Funkmaster Flex, the Hot 97 DJ who shared Mack’s hits on the NYC station.
Brooklyn’s DJ Scratch remembered Mack as the hardworking roadie who helped set up and break down his turntables on tours.
“I cannot believe this dude is gone,” said DJ Scratch, the stage name for George Spivey. “He just reached out a couple of weeks ago for me to speak on his documentary about his life.”
“Rest In Peace Lil Bro,” he wrote in an Instagram post.
Like Mack, “Just A Friend” rapper Biz Markie got his start on Long Island.
“R.I.P TO MY MAIN MAN CRAIG MACK ANOTHER GREAT ONE GONE,” he wrote.
