PASIFIKA HIP HOP ICON GANXSTA RIDD (BOO YAA T.R.I.B.E) HAS PASSED AWAY #RIP
Ganxsta Ridd of Boo Yaa T.R.I.B.E, legendary artist, Polynesian hip hop pioneer and the first ever Pasifika MC, has passed away earlier this evening in Los Angeles at the age of 52.
We extend our heart felt alofa and condolences to the extended Devoux aiga in LA and the Boo Yaa T.R.I.B.E family.
Paul "Gangxsta Ridd" Devoux was one of seven members of the Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E along with his brothers Gawtti, Monsta O, E.K.A., Murder One, Kobra and Godfather (passed away in 2018 #RIP). The brothers who were of Samoan Heritage were Pastors Kids and got their musical start in church.
The Devoux brothers were initially a dance crew called the Blue City Strutters before becoming a full-fledged rap group with Ganxsta Ridd the lead rapper in the group.
The "Boo-Yaa" in their name represented the sound of a shotgun being discharged, while the "T.R.I.B.E" stands for "Too Rough International Boo-Yaa Empire."
In 1990 they released their debut album New Funky Nation with production assists from the Dust Brothers, Joe "The Butcher" Nicolo, Tony G and others. The Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E also recorded music in the rap metal genre. In 1997, they released Angry Samoans on their own independent label, which featured a lot of heavy metal influences.
In 2003, the group released West Koasta Nostra, which featured guest appearances from Eminem, Mack-10, Kurupt, B-Real, WC and Crooked I.
One fan of Ganxsta Ridd and Boo Yaa T.R.I.B.E said he was heavily influenced by their music and especially the album 'Doomsday'
"When I was a teenager, I really looked up to Ganxsta Ridd and Boo Yaa T.R.I.B.E because yeah, there was Tupac and Biggie but here were some rappers making it big on the world stage ... and they were Samoan just like us you know? It was a big thing for me to have those guys to look up to. Rest in love to the OG Ganxsta Ridd" - Taulaga Momoisea
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Tributes have started pouring in from fans and fellow hip hop artists from around the world.
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Before he went back to the US, he did what may have been his last interview with the Daily Dosage show - check out the full episode here
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Fly high Ganxsta Ridd, ia manuia lau malaga.
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A few years ago, Boo Yaa T.R.I.B.E were hosted by Brotha D and Andy Murnane from Dawn Raid Entertainment when they were in New Zealand for Raggamuffin. Ganxsta Ridd was also in New Zealand earlier in the year on his way home from Australia & attended Brotha D's 50th birthday. The photos used in this article are from these events.