Artists like Justin Timberlake and Lenny Kravitz extended their love and appreciation for Prince Be of P.M. Dawn after it was announced he passed away at the tender age of 46.
People reports Prince Be, born Attrell Cordes, died of kidney failure on Friday (June 17.) Joined by brother DJ Minutemix, the artists came together as P.M. Dawn in 1988 and became one of the first Hip-Hop alternative acts to reach critical acclaim. The group shot to No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with the single, “Set Adrift on Memory Bliss.”
They also found praise for “I’d Die Without You” after it was featured on the soundtrack to the Eddie Murphy classic comedy, Boomerang. The single stemmed from their sophomore gold project, The Bliss Album…?.
The group released three albums together before calling it quits. According to sources, Cordes continued to work silently in the underground circuit as a producer. His cousin Doc. G. honored Cordes on Facebook after the sad news was confirmed by the artist’s family. “Prince Be Rest In Peace Forever More, Pain from diabetes can’t harm you anymore,” he wrote. “My Heart is at Peace B-Cuz U suffered so long, Tell Grandma I said Hi & Stay Blisstatic & Strong.”
Prince Be’s influence would later show in acts like Childish Gambino, who performed a mesmerizing cover of “I’d Die Without You” for BBC’s 1Xtra Radio in 2014. The tributes soon poured in on Saturday (June 18) from Questlove, Tony-award winner Lin-Manuel Miranda, 9th Wonder and more.
Check them out below.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BGxp2jJNvFj/?tagged=pmdawn
Wow, Prince Be??? This year is crazy.
Gone too soon. RIP, good sir. You are a huge influence on me and so many.#RIPPrinceBe
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) June 18, 2016
"Is it my turn to wish you were lying here?" -one of the best opening lyrics ever.
RIP Prince Be.
Thx for expanding the sound of hip-hop.— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) June 18, 2016