Brooklyn rapper, producer and firefighter Kasim ‘Ka’ Ryan died Saturday at the age of 52.
A post on his official Instagram account confirmed, “We are sad to announce the passing of Kasim Ryan (1972-2024), the rapper and producer better known as Ka, who died on October 12 in New York City. Died unexpectedly in. 52.”
He is survived by his wife, mother and sister; His death is a big shock not only for the music industry but also for the society in general.
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Who was from?
Kay was born and raised in Brownsville, Brooklyn, and was not only a respected musician, but also a dedicated member of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) for over 20 years. He rose to the rank of FDNY Captain and was among the first responders during the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center.
“Born and raised in Brownsville, Brooklyn, Kay lived a life of service – to his city, to his community, and to his music. “As a 20-year veteran of the New York City Fire Department, he put his life on the line to protect his fellow citizens,” the Instagram post read.
The Brooklyn rapper was known for his evocative, minimalist approach to rap. He was a member of the group Natural Elements and worked with other influential artists such as Rock Marciano and GZA. His work received high praise from notable figures such as Erykah Badu and Yassin Bey, formerly known as Mos Def. BET reported the impact Kaa had on both fans and fellow cast members alike.
Ka’s dedication to his art extended far beyond his music
Kaa often hosted “DIY events” for her album releases where she would talk to fans one-on-one and celebrate by bringing people together in person. Arguably most famously, Kaa hosted Took great steps to remain as independent as possible, from producing my own work to shipping my own orders.”
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POW Recordings founder, music writer Jeff Weiss, paid tribute to Ka on of. He said Kay was an artist, “as pure and real as anyone who ever spits out cold facts.”
