West Coast rapper Saafir passes away at 54

West Coast hip-hop legend Saafir, born Reggie Gibson, passed away on Tuesday morning at the age of 54.

Known for his lyrical prowess and contributions to underground hip-hop, Saafir was a pivotal figure in the West Coast rap scene.

Saafir first rose to prominence as a member of the Hobo Junction collective, celebrated for its sharp lyricism and battle rap skills. He gained further recognition in the 1990s with a memorable battle against Hieroglyphics, solidifying his status as a rap legend. 

Gibson’s debut album, ‘Boxcar Sessions’ (1994), is widely regarded as an underground classic, and he continued his career with other notable works like ‘Trigonometry’ and ‘Good Game: The Transition’. Beyond music, Saafir showcased his versatility by appearing in the cult-classic film ‘Menace II Society’ (1993).

The news of Saafir’s passing was shared by longtime collaborator and fellow rapper Xzibit, who posted a heartfelt tribute on Instagram. “Approximately at 8:45am this morning, my brother Reggie, known to the world as Saafir, passed away,” Xzibit wrote. He urged the hip-hop community to support Saafir’s family during this difficult time.