Loopy City rapper Shifty Shellshock (actual identify Seth Binzer) was discovered lifeless in his Los Angeles house on Monday (June 24). He was 49. Whereas no reason behind demise has been confirmed, family and friends are suggesting it was a drug overdose. Shifty had lengthy suffered from dependancy points and was very open about his struggles all through his profession.
Hours after the information broke, Home of Ache rapper Danny Boy shared a heartfelt Instagram submit mourning Shifty’s demise. He wrote, “It breaks my coronary heart that you just’re gone. We each grew up working wild in these Hollywood streets. These instances had been among the many greatest and in addition the worst instances of my life. Taking a look at this picture, it’s clear that we had been each as excessive as helicopters. That’s simply the way it was again then. The ’90s, for us all, had been wild! Stuffed with loopy nights, hanging out with loopy individuals at Loopy Women in that Crazytown.
“I used to be really rooting for you and had all the time hoped you’ll discover the restoration {that a} handful of us discovered from the terrible illness of dependancy. However in the long run this factor seems prefer it acquired you. You’re free now, however you’ll be missed. My heartfelt condolences to your loved ones and buddies. Godspeed, Shifty. ‘Nothing gold can keep.’”
Shifty’s Loopy City collaborator, Bret “Epic” Mazur, additionally shared an emotional tribute to the L.A. native. The 2 loved huge success within the early 2000s after the Loopy City single “Butterfly” blew up in 2001.
“It’s with profound unhappiness and heavy hearts that now we have discovered the passing of our pricey pal and brother, Seth Binzer,” Mazur wrote. “As the opposite half of Loopy City, Seth’s unbelievable expertise and larger-than-life character left an indelible mark on all who knew him and on the music we created collectively.”
As Mazur continued, he touched on Shifty’s substance abuse points, once more hinting at an overdose as the reason for demise.
“Seth struggled with the challenges of sustaining sobriety all through his life, a battle that he repeatedly fought privately and publicly,” he added. “Regardless of the hardships, he introduced immense pleasure and vitality into the lives of these round him. I want with all my coronary heart that his story might have ended otherwise, however we discover solace within the hope that Seth has lastly discovered the peace he was trying to find so desperately all these years.
“Our Loopy City household and I treasure the core reminiscences from our youthful years, the highs and lows, the laughter and the teachings and every second contributed to who we’re in the present day. Seth’s journey, marked by wrestle, was additionally crammed with moments of unbelievable creativity and love.”
Mazur additionally introduced up his personal journey to sobriety, which he’s been on for practically twenty years. He concluded, “I wish to take a fast second to emphasize the significance of sobriety. For practically 18 years, I’ve walked a sober path, and I urge anybody struggling to hunt assist and help, from myself or somebody you belief. There’s all the time hope, and an opportunity for a greater tomorrow. We are going to miss Seth greater than phrases can specific. His spirit will reside on within the music we made and within the hearts of those that beloved him. Our ideas and prayers are along with his household throughout this extremely tough time. Relaxation in peace, Seth. You’ll all the time be remembered and cherished. With love and sorrow….God pace…ya’ boy.”
Shifty encountered many challenges over the past couple of a long time. In 2012, he was arrested for home abuse and cocaine possession. In the identical 12 months, he was additionally taken to hospital after dropping consciousness. He fell right into a coma earlier than recovering.
In 2022, he was arrested for driving below the affect and thrown off a Nu Metallic tour final 12 months after a gig in South Carolina resulted in a bloody on-camera struggle along with his bandmate, Bobby Reeves. The duo had reportedly since made up and Loopy City performed gigs with Shifty as just lately as Could. Shifty is survived by his three youngsters, Halo, Gage and Phoenix. AllHipHop sends our condolences to all of his family members.