Rapper and prominent marijuana advocate Black The Ripper is dead

Rapper and prominent marijuana advocate Black The Ripper has died, it has been revealed. He was 32. The musician, real name Dean West, initially rose to fame with his hugely popular mixtapes Afro Samurai and Holla Black, which were released in the mid-noughties. While he continued to make music in the years that followed, he eventually became a voice in the push to legalise marijuana in the UK. While it’s not yet known how the star, also known as Ital Samson, died, a host of musicians took to Twitter to share their condolences as the news broke on Monday. Fellow MC Chip, shared a snap of himself posing with the Edmonton, north London, MC in happier times, as he wrote: ‘RIP my brother,’ preceded by a heartbreak emoji. Posting the same image on his Instagram account, Chip, a longtime friend of West, continued: ‘Real tears. I never cry. Rest in peace my bro. Forever here for your son.’ South London grime MC Novelist stated: ‘I can’t believe the news I’ve just got. I had good times with you cuz. Everyone’s gonna miss you. Rest in peace Black the ripper.’ Krept, of the duo Krept and Konan reacted to the news of West’s untimely death by writing: ‘No way black the ripper. R.I.P man f***inghell what a horrible year.’ [sic]