The veteran West Coast MC, originally from Fresno, California, helped establish the blueprint to successfully navigating an independent rap career.
The Hip-Hop community suffered a monumental blow on Monday (August 18), when it was discovered Aesop of the Living Legends had died. The veteran West Coast MC, originally from Fresno, California, helped establish the blueprint to successfully navigating an independent rap career.
Naturally, his Living Legends brethren are in a deep state of mourning, still coming to terms with their new reality. After all, the Living Legends are booked for several high profile gigs, including a show at the historic Red Rocks Amphitheater on September 19 with Atmosphere, Dilated Peoples, Cunninlynguists, Immortal Technique and Hieroglyphics.
Just weeks before Aesop’s unexpected passing, The Grouch also announced his annual How the Grouch Stole Christmas Tour with Living Legends, Cunninlynguists and Souls of Mischief on the bill, something Aesop was really looking forward to. As he mentioned in the caption, “Gone end this year on a good note.”
As the news continues to ripple across social media, several of Aesop’s peers have expressed their condolences and sorrow, including Planet Asia, Slug of Atmosphere, Pigeon John, Percee P, Project Blowed and Fashawn.
“I have known @blackaesop since I was 15 years old,” Planet Asia wrote in an Instagram post. “He is a member of my original crew, SKHOOL YARD MASSIVE. We all are going to miss joking and arguing with you bro. I was woken up to the calls from my brothers @559shakedamayor and T CARTER giving me the sad news. REST IN POWER FAM. Feels like i’m at the end of a dope ass movie cause now we are missing another one of our main characters. PEACE TO THE LIVING LEGEND FROM THE YARD!!!”
Fashawn, who hails from Fresno as well, wrote simply, “AESOP FOREVER.”
It’s unclear how Living Legends will handle their tour plans. The group’s latest album, The Return, was released in 2023. Many of the Legends have continued releasing solo projects, including The Grouch, who dropped The 50-Year-Old Rapper in May.
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