Don Newkirk Dead: De La Soul, 3rd Bass Collaborator Passed away at 56, Fans Pay Tribute
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Image Via Twitter
No cause of death has been disclosed for musician Don Newkirk, who passed away this week. A Facebook post by Rahiem of the Furious Five confirmed his death on Friday (25th November). “It is with heavy hearts that I announce the passing of my brother Don Newkirk,” he wrote. One of the first R&B artists signed to Def Jam records was Don Newkirk. In this time of grief, my condolences go out to his family. Bro, rest in peace. On albums like 3 Feet High and Rising by De La Soul and 3rd Bass’ 1989 debut, “The Gas Face,” he provided voice-overs. The same year, he released a solo album called Funk City via Def Jam subsidiary OBR/Columbia Records. As a result of the album, the singles “I Desire” and “Sweat You” were released. WowDon Newkirk just passed away, I just heard from Chuck D. He’s affiliated with Prince Paul, the producer?? Wow. Wow. Is there a reason why Black people don’t live long enough?? Why?? One User tweeted after hearing the news of Don Newkirk’s passing.
De La Soul, 3rd Bass Collaborator Don Newkirk Reportedly Passed Away At The Age Of 56 Years
There has been no word on the cause of death for Don Newkirk, who passed away this week. According to Rahiem of the Furious Five, he died on Friday (25th November). My heart is heavy with the news that my brother Don Newkirk has passed away,” he wrote. Def Jam Records signed Don Newkirk as one of the first R&B artists. It is with deep sorrow that I extend my condolences to his family at this time. De La Soul’s 3 Feet High and Rising and the 3rd Bass song “The Gas Face” from the group’s 1989 debut are examples of his voiceovers. In the same year, Def Jam subsidiary OBR/Columbia Records released his solo album Funk City, which resulted in the release of the singles I Desire and Sweat You. During an interview with AllHipHop last year, Newkirk discussed his journey and the impact he made on both R&B and Hip-Hop.
As Don Newkirk explained at the time, Funk City was a way to experiment with instruments and use my voice in a different way than simply rapping. The reason is that I have never been a singer. I have always been an MC. My preference back then was to use melody to express what I wanted to save. Hence, it became Funk City, which I think is dope since it introduced people to a whole new side of me. We just watched what was happening to our crew during that time. Don Newkirk has been a member of BROOKZILL, a short-lived but potent experimental project that included former members of Stetsasonic, De La Soul and Ladybug Mecca (Digable Planets) and Rodrigo Brandão. There was one album released by the group, Throwback To The Future, and then they parted ways. Four years later, he teamed up with Prince Paul to compose the soundtrack for Who Killed Malcolm X, a Netflix documentary.
Rest In Beats #DonNewkirk pic.twitter.com/dbZwaQdkTL
— Shallene Holley (@ShalleneHolley) November 26, 2022
My man @donnewkirk step to em in heaven. 🕊️🕊️🕊️
— Crime Rhyme Houdini (@JustBlaze) November 26, 2022
Don Newkirk man … #RestInBeats
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) November 26, 2022
Man … RIP to the legend Don Newkirk
— DANA (@iam_DanaScott) November 26, 2022
#RIP DON NEWKIRK……..dayum.
— lefthandid…. (@rmdest) November 26, 2022
rip don newkirk. </3 pic.twitter.com/FklRuP8Cj1
— RYS (@P4ULSBOUTIQUE) November 26, 2022
