Saafir, the influential American rapper and actor born Reggie Gibson, has passed away at the age of 54. The news was confirmed by his longtime collaborator, Xzibit.
According to Xzibit’s statement, Saafir died at 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday.
Saafir first gained attention in 1993 with his music debut, becoming a key figure in West Coast rap, despite not achieving widespread commercial success. Beyond his music career, Saafir ventured into acting, appearing in the 1993 crime classic Menace II Society, which also featured Jada Pinkett Smith.
In recent years, Saafir had faced significant health challenges, including mobility issues that confined him to a wheelchair and a spinal tumor that required surgery.
Xzibit expressed his grief in an emotional tribute on social media:
“I can’t believe I’m writing this right now. At 8:45 a.m. this morning, my brother Reggie, known to the world as Saafir, passed away. We surrounded him with love, letting him know how much he meant to us. He can rest now.”
Xzibit, whose real name is Alvin Nathaniel Joiner, also called for support for Saafir’s family, including his younger brother, Chop Black, and his son, rapper Lil Saafir.
“Friends, family, and the Hip Hop community, please reach out to support his family during this difficult time. My soul is crushed. Rest in power, Saucee Nomad. We love you, bro,” Xzibit concluded.
Sources reported to TMZ that Saafir passed away in his hometown of Oakland.
He leaves behind a legacy as an influential artist in hip-hop, a son, and a brother.
