Luci4, the underground rapper who broke through with the viral hit “BodyPartz,” has died at 23. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed the artist, born James Dear, passed away on Feb. 22 in Los Angeles. His cause of death remains under investigation.
According to his grandparents, Luci4 died at a friend’s home as his career was gaining traction. “We don’t know what happened yet — but we’re suspicious,” they said. The family claims his wallet was emptied and expressed concern about new people in his circle as his fame grew. “We had warned him,” they added, noting they are waiting for answers from police.
The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a medical call at 11:40 a.m. Paramedics arrived and found him deceased. Authorities then contacted law enforcement. Sources say officers secured the location as a potential crime scene. Investigators have not confirmed foul play.
Atlantic Records’ Luci4 Died At 23, Family Confirms
Luci4 carved out a distinct lane in the internet rap underground. He emerged as a leading voice in sigilkore, a digital-born microgenre defined by distorted beats and dark aesthetics. His music exploded on TikTok in 2021, where fans propelled his songs into viral territory.
“BodyPartz” became his breakout moment. The track spread rapidly across streaming platforms and social media. It later achieved gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America, signaling his arrival beyond niche circles.
The buzz led to a deal with Atlantic Records. Industry insiders viewed him as a pioneer of the sigilkore wave. His sound resonated with a generation raised on algorithm-driven discovery.
Friends described Luci4 as fearless and visionary. He often spoke about independence and creative control. Now, as detectives continue their investigation, fans mourn a young artist whose momentum felt unstoppable.
Leave a Reply