Cleetis Mack, a longtime member of the influential hip-hop group Digital Underground, has died, according to reports published Tuesday. He was known to fans as “Clee.”
A representative for the group confirmed that Mack “passed suddenly,” though no cause of death or age has been publicly disclosed.
In a statement shared with media, the group described his passing as a profound loss, saying it “leaves a void in our Digital Underground family and in our hearts that can never truly be filled.”
Career and legacy
Mack joined Digital Underground in 1993, several years after the Oakland-based collective was founded by Shock G and others. His tenure reflected the group’s evolving lineup, which featured dozens of collaborators over the years.
He contributed to the group’s catalog during a pivotal era in West Coast hip-hop and was featured on tracks including “Wussup Wit the Luv,” which included an appearance by Tupac Shakur early in his career. Digital Underground is widely credited with helping launch Tupac’s rise in the music industry.
Beyond his musical contributions, Mack was remembered by collaborators as a steady and uplifting presence. The group noted that he brought “warmth, loyalty, and quiet strength” and left a lasting impression on those around him.
A continuing loss for the group
Mack’s death marks another loss for Digital Underground, whose founding member Shock G died in 2021. The group, formed in 1987 in Oakland, became known for blending funk influences with hip-hop and for hits like “The Humpty Dance” and “Same Song.”
Fans and members of the hip-hop community have begun sharing tributes online, remembering Mack as part of a foundational era in West Coast rap.
As of now, no additional details about funeral arrangements or the circumstances surrounding his death have been released.
