Kangol Kid, rapper and co-founder of the group UTFO, has died after battling stage 4 colon cancer. He was 55-years old.

LL Cool J‘s Rock the Bells Fest shared the heartbreaking news.

Kangol was first diagnosed back in February 2021. According to his Instagram page, he has been in the hospital for several weeks.

“Things have become, and are becoming a little more difficult than imagined.” Kangol added, “I’ve been admitted again for complications related to my condition.”

His last post, he shared a photo of his friend and fellow rapper LL Cool J visiting him in the hospital about two weeks ago.

The Hip Hop group UTFO, are mostly known for their 1984 single “Roxanne, Roxanne.” The track ended up being on Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs of All Time list.

The innocent beef war in the song inspired many other great rappers. Ludacris shared with Rolling Stone that his dad bought him the Roxanne, Roxanne record when he was about 5 or 6 years old. He said that’s when he realized he wanted to rap.

In 1985, Kangol wrote and composed for Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam’s debut album Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam with Full Force. The LP is best known for the lead tracks, “I Wonder If I Take You Home,” “All Cried Out,” and “Can You Feel the Beat.”

He is survived by his wife, Tajiri Swindell and four daughters, Felicity, Tatiana, Jasmine, and Amancia.

Sending condolences to his family and friends. Rest in peace, King.