2 Live Crew Member Fresh Kid Ice Dead at 53
Fresh Kid Ice, founding member of 2 Live Crew, has passed away at the age of 53. Born Chris Wong Won, the member of the controversial 90’s rap group, was one of the first mainstream Asian rappers in the United States.
According to People, the rapper died Thursday (July 13) at his home base in Miami, Florida from an undisclosed medical condition, his manager confirmed. It has been reported that Won suffered two strokes – one in 2008 and another in 2010. Fellow group member, Luther Campbell, also confirmed Won’s death on Twitter.
“My Condolence goes out to the family Chris Wong Wong Fresh Kid Ice of the 2 Live Crew who just passed away people we lost a legend,” Campbell wrote.
Formed by DJ Mr. Mixx, Amazing Vee, and Won while serving in the Air Force in California in 1984, the group later expanded by welcoming Luther Campbell – known professionally as Uncle Luke. 2 Live Crew found major success with their 1989 album, As Nasty As They Wanna Be. But, the album was so controversial that it was dubbed obscene and led to the arrest of the members when they performed tracks from the album in a club in 1990. As People reports, the trial made headlines and started a national debate – but ended after Won, Campbell, and Brother Marquis were acquitted. After leaving the group, Ice later formed his own record label, Chinaman Records, which is reported to be responsible for discovering rapper Flo-Rida.
Following the announcement of Ice’s death, many fans, celebrities and supporters took to social media to pay their respects to the late Rap legend.
Damnnn RIP to the first Asian rapper I ever saw as a kid. Fresh Kid Ice from 2 Live Crew https://t.co/Qm7Ac80NtZ
— Timothy DeLaGhetto (@TimothyDeLaG) July 13, 2017
Dam! Just got call we lost 2 Live crew legend Fresh Kid Ice this morning! RIP
— Yung Rénzél (@RickRoss) July 13, 2017
R.I.P. Fresh Kid Ice we lost another legend prayers up for his family
— juicy j (@therealjuicyj) July 13, 2017
RIP Fresh Kid Ice!
Photo Credit: PR Photos
