LOS ANGELES (AP) 鈥� Gangsta Boo, a Southern rapper who was a former member of the hip-hop group Three 6 Mafia, has died. She was 43.
Lola "Gangsta Boo'' Mitchell was found dead Sunday in Memphis, Tennessee, her hometown. The cause of death has not been released.
鈥淭he Mitchell family would like to thank everyone for their condolences regarding the untimely death of Lola 鈥楪angsta Boo鈥� Mitchell,鈥� said the rapper鈥檚 mother Veronica Mitchell and family in a statement issued Monday. 鈥淭he family is asking for your continued prayers and privacy as we process the loss of our loved one.鈥�
The rapper launched her career at age of 14 when she was noticed by DJ Paul, a founding member of Three 6 Mafia. By 15, she joined the rap collective, which included notable members DJ Paul, Juicy J, Crunchy Black and Lord Infamous.
Gangsta Boo gained instant notoriety with her shoot-from-the-hip, rapid-fire rap flow on Three 6 Mafia鈥檚 1995 debut album 鈥淢ystic Stylez,鈥� which became a cult classic. She appeared on five more of the group鈥檚 albums, including 鈥淐hapter 2: World Domination" and the platinum-selling 鈥淲hen the Smoke Clears: Sixty 6, Sixty 1.鈥�
In 1998, she branched out with her debut solo album 鈥淓nquiring Minds.鈥� The album was highlighted by 鈥淲here Dem Dollas At,鈥� featuring Juicy J and DJ Paul.
After Three 6 Mafia released 鈥淐hoices: The Album鈥� in 2001, she left the group to focus on her solo career. She dropped her sophomore album, 鈥淏oth Worlds (asterisk)69,鈥� which reached No. 29 on the Billboard 200 chart. Her third album, 鈥淓nquiring Minds II: The Soap Opera,鈥� was released in 2003.
During her career, Gangsta Boo collaborated with popular artists including OutKast, Eminem, Gucci Mane, Lil Jon, E-40 and T.I. This year, she appeared on Latto鈥檚 鈥淔TCU鈥� that also included GloRilla.
Last month, Gangsta Boo said she was on the verge of releasing her fourth studio album 鈥淭he BooPrint,鈥� this year. Last week, she filmed an unreleased video, 鈥淚mma Mack,鈥� with producer Drumma Boy.
鈥淕angsta Boo was like a sister to me and told the world about me the way my blood brother did,鈥� Drumma Boy said in a statement. 鈥淲e both are Leos and share the same energy towards unity and seeing people happy! This is just such a devastating loss cuz she always wanted to see others win! RIP to the Queen Of Memphis, forever my sister.鈥�
Jonathan Landrum Jr., The Associated Press
