Sean Price was a Brooklyn-born rapper who left an indelible mark on the Hip Hop world. He passed away on August 8, 2015, leaving behind a legacy of raw, unapologetic music that will continue to inspire generations of Hip Hop artists.
Sean Price first emerged on the scene in the mid-1990s as one-half of the group Heltah Skeltah. Along with his partner Rock, Sean helped to define the gritty, streetwise sound of Brooklyn Hip Hop. Their debut album, Nocturnal (1996), is a classic of the era, featuring hard-hitting beats and razor-sharp rhymes that captured the essence of New York City’s underground rap scene. The album was widely praised for its innovative production, which featured a dark and moody sound that perfectly complemented Sean Price and Rock’s aggressive and unapologetic rhymes. Tracks like “Leflaur Leflah Eshkoshka” and “Operation Lockdown” became instant classics, showcasing the group’s ability to craft memorable hooks and deliver hard-hitting verses.
Sean Price was also a member of the Boot Camp Clik collective, which was formed in the mid-1990s as a collaboration between several Brooklyn-based Hip Hop groups, including Heltah Skeltah, Smif-N-Wessun, and O.G.C. The collective helped to define the sound of underground hip hop in the late 90s and early 2000s, and Sean Price played an important role in that movement. His contributions to the Boot Camp Clik’s albums, including For the People (1997) and The Chosen Few (2002), helped to cement his status as one of the most important and influential MCs of his generation.
After the breakup of Heltah Skeltah, Sean continued to make music as a solo artist. He released his debut solo album, Monkey Barz, in 2005. Monkey Barz was a highly anticipated release for Sean Price fans, and it did not disappoint. The album was a tour de force of raw, uncut Hip Hop, featuring hard-hitting beats and Sean’s trademark gritty, no-holds-barred lyricism. Despite not achieving great commercial success, Monkey Barz was met with favorable reviews.
The album’s raw, uncut sound and Sean Price’s uncompromising lyricism earned him a dedicated fan base and critical acclaim. The album’s lead single, “Boom Bye Yeah” is a standout, as are tracks like “Peep My Words”, “Onionhead”, “Heartburn”, “Monkey Barz”, and “Slapboxing”. Videos made for these songs helped to further establish Sean Price as a force to be reckoned with in the underground Hip Hop scene. Monkey Barz paved the way for the two other solo albums that would be released during his lifetime: Jesus Price Supastar (2007) and Mic Tyson (2012), and the posthumously released Imperius Rex (2017).
Over the years, Sean Price collaborated with a wide range of artists from across the Hip Hop spectrum. He worked with everyone from underground legends like Buckshot and Smif-N-Wessun to mainstream stars like Busta Rhymes and Talib Kweli. One of Sean Price’s most memorable collaborations came in 2012 when he teamed up with fellow underground MCs Guilty Simpson and Black Milk to form the group Random Axe. Their self-titled debut album was a tour de force of raw, uncut Hip Hop, featuring some of the most brutal and uncompromising rhymes of Sean’s career.
Sadly, Sean Price’s life was cut short when he passed away in his sleep in 2015 at the age of 43. His death was a shock to the Hip Hop world, and fans and fellow artists alike mourned his passing. But while Sean may be gone, his impact on the world of Hip Hop will continue to be felt for years to come. Sean Price’s legacy is one of relentless authenticity. He never shied away from speaking his mind or telling it like it is, even if it wasn’t what people wanted to hear. His music was raw, honest, and unapologetic – a reflection of the harsh realities of life in Brooklyn and beyond.
But Sean Price was more than just a rapper – he was a father, a husband, and a friend to many in the Hip Hop community. His passing was a reminder that even our heroes are mortal and that we must cherish them while we can. In the years since his death, Sean Price’s music has continued to resonate with fans across the globe. His albums continue to be listened to, and his influence can be heard in the work of countless underground MCs who have followed in his footsteps.
Sean Price may be gone, but his legacy lives on. He will forever be remembered as one of the most talented and uncompromising MCs in Hip Hop history – a true hero of the underground who never forgot where he came from or who he was. Rest in peace, Sean Price – your music will live on forever.