Oakland rap legend Saafir passed away in November at the age of 54. A little more than a month after his passing, the rapper’s cause of death has been revealed.
TMZ reports that Saafir passed away from “septic shock and an infection of the small intestine called enterocolitis.” Per the death certificate, he also suffered from sacral decubitus and an enlarged bedsore that brought too much pressure on the bottom of the spine. Each ailment contributed to his death.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, enterocolitis is an inflammation of the intestines. Sacral decubitus, also known as bedsores, is caused by pressure on the skin.
In 1992, Saafir was involved in a plane crash that caused him to have recurring spinal issues according to the Los Angeles Times. He reportedly had a spinal tumor removed in 2005 and was wheelchair-bound for the last decade.
Xzibit, who co-founded the Golden State Project (formerly known as the Golden State Warriors) with Saafir and Ras Kass, paid tribute to his friend on Instagram.
“I can’t believe I’m writing this right now but don’t know what else to do at the moment. Approximately at 8:45 am this morning, my brother Reggie known to the world as Saafir passed away,” his post read. “We have so much history I can’t even explain what I’m feeling right now. We surrounded him and let him know how much we loved him. He can rest now.”
“Friends, Family, everyone that rocked with us from the Hip Hop community, if you could be so solid and reach out for @chopblack
his younger brother, and @lilsaafir his son.,” he continued. “The family really needs to be supported during this time. That’s all I have right now. My soul is crushed. We love you, Bro.”
Born in Oakland, California as Reggie Gibson, Saafir launched his rap career in the early 90s with the rap groups Hobo Junction and Digital Underground. He was even a roommate of Tupac Shakur and appeared on several tracks of Digital Underground’s The Body-Hat Syndrome LP.
In 1993, Saafir had a role in the classic film Menace II Society as Harold Lawson. The star-studded cast also included Larenz Tate, Jada Pinket Smith, and Samuel L. Jackson.
Saafir released his critically acclaimed debut album, Boxcar Sessions in 1994 along with Trigonometry (1998) The Hit List (1999), and Game: The Transition (2006).
He was a staple of the California underground rap scene.
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