Rap Pioneer Bo$$, First Female Rapper Signed To Def Jam, Dead At 54

Bo$$, a pioneering rapper recognized for her 1993 debut and solo studio album 'Born Gangstaz,' has died.

She was 54.

The official Instagram page for Def Jam confirmed her death with a statement on their social media on Tuesday. Bo$$ died of kidney failure, according to reports.

"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Lichelle Marie Laws, also known as Bo$$," read the statement. "Bo$$ will be remembered as a pioneer in hip hop, being one of the first female rappers signed to Def Jam in the early 1990s. We extend our prayers and condolences to her family and loved ones during this difficult time."

Additional information regarding Bo$$'s passing was not disclosed publicly; however, according to Billboard, the emcee grappled with various health issues throughout the years, such as renal disease and a stroke in 2017.

Originally from Detroit, the rapper, born Lichelle Laws, relocated to Los Angeles alongside her DJ, Irene "Dee" Moore. Her trajectory shifted when she crossed paths with DJ Quik, who introduced her to key figures in the west coast rap community. This led to her gaining recognition by Russell Simmons, co-founder of Def Jam Records, who aimed to establish Def Jam West in LA. Laws emerged as his inaugural signee to DJ West and, reportedly, the first female rapper ever enlisted by Def Jam.

Operating under the moniker Bo$$, Laws unveiled her solo studio album, 'Born Gangstaz,' in May 1993. The album garnered substantial success, selling nearly 400,000 copies and reaching No. 22 on the Billboard 200 and No. 3 on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts. 

The project spawned hit singles such as "Deeper" and "Recipe of a Hoe."

In addition to her album, Laws released two mixtapes and made notable appearances on albums by artists including AMG, South Central Cartel, Ice-T, Powerlord Jel, Spice 1, Ant Banks, Treach, Dori, Krayzie Bone, LaReece, and many others.