American musician Don Newkirk, well known for his work with De La Soul and 3rd Bass, passed away at the age of 56. On November 26, the Facebook page of hip-hop musician Rahiem of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five confirmed his passing.
“My deepest condolences go out to the family of my brother Don Newkirk as he transitions. One of the first R&B artists to sign with Defjam was Don Newkirk. He may rest in peace.
Rahiem described to AllHipHop how he learned of Don Newkirk’s passing.
“One of our close friends contacted to inform me that Don’s daughter had informed him by phone.”
Newkirk was well-known for his contributions on 3 Foot High and Rising by De La Soul and The Cactus Album, the 1989 first album by 3rd Bass, on which he performed The Gas Face.
The artist also released his solo album, Funk City, through the OBR/Columbia Records division of Def Jam Records. Sweat You and I Want, two of his most popular songs, are found on the album in question.
Don Newkirk anticipated that his emcee career would be more fruitful than his singing one.
Don Newkirk spoke with AllHipHop in 2021 about his solo album Funk City and how it explored his voice in areas other than rapping:
Because I’ve never sung professionally. I have always been a host. But back then, I thought that song was a more effective means of conveying what I was attempting to rescue.
Hence, it was released as Funk City, which I believe is wonderful because it revealed a new part of me to the public. And the entire duration of what was occurring with our squad.”
When questioned about his career, he stated:
“Maybe I would have been more successful. If I had continued to emcee, 3 Foot High and Rising would have been released and ‘Gas Face’ would have been released. As I was singing rather than spitting, I was therefore in that entire camp, albeit I was not a Native Tongue speaker.
He then continued:
“But, I’m glad it transpired as it did because it left a legacy that I’m only now finding had an impact I didn’t even know existed back then since we didn’t have the internet.”
The deceased 56-year-old also released a second album, Between Love & Lust, in 1992, but Def Jam Recordings sold it to a subsidiary and it was subsequently shelved.
Don joined the experimental short-term project BROOKZILL! in 2016, along with Prince Paul, Ladybug Mecca, and Rodeo Brando. Prior to their separation, they worked together on the album Flashback to the Future.
Don and Prince Paul worked together once more to compose the soundtrack for the Netflix documentary Who Killed Malcolm X. Previously, they composed music for the 2004 film The Best Thief In The World and the independent film Pressure Cooker.
Also, the group composed the theme song for the podcast Mogul: The Life and Death of Chris Lighty and contributed to the Grammy-winning album Never Afraid by Chris Rock.
Upon learning of Don Newkirk’s terrible passing, Internet users offer their respects to him.
Upon the announcement of Don Newkirk’s passing, Twitter users expressed their condolences and recalled his contributions to the music industry. Not just fans but also other music personalities paid tribute to the late artist.
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