American Rapper Grand Daddy I.U. Dies At 54

American rapper Grand Daddy I.U. has died at the age of 54.

Grand Daddy – whose real name was Ayub Bey – was a prominent member of the early rap label Cold Chillin’ Records and is believed to have passed away in his sleep, according to TMZ.

According to TMZ: “Legendary hip hop producer Pete Rock, a longtime advocate for GDIU’s skills as a lyricist, revealed to his followers the Queens-born rapper died peacefully in his sleep.”

However, the music artist’s official cause of death has not yet been revealed.

Grand Daddy, who made a name for himself in the 90s hip-hop and rap scene, was most known for his debut album Smooth Assassin.

Rapper LL Cool J, also 54, was among the first to pay tribute to the star as he wrote on Instagram on Tuesday (December 13): “Rest in power King. HipHop was in your DNA. @granddaddy_iu Thank You for your contribution.’

Busta Rhymes also took to comment on the update from LL Cool J, writing: “Waking up to this crazy. RIP ALMIGHTY GDIU!!”