SAD NEWS: Ms. Melodie Of Boogie Down Productions is Dead

Hip-hop has lost another gem. Former Boogie Down Productions emcee, Ms. Melodie has passed away, according to several reports. Her close friend Monifah also confirmed the sad news on Twitter. “RIP Miss Melody,” Monifah writes. “Please keep her children, family & loved ones in ur prayers. HipHopRoyalty… A friend of ours told me she went last nite.”

Def Jam Records co-founder Russell Simmons has also paid tribute to the late star, tweeting, “RIP Ms. Melodie. a dope MC”.

Melodie (Ramona Parker), was once married to BDP frontman KRS-One til their divorce in 1992 She was also the older sister of former BDP member Harmony. She drummed up considerable buzz with her 1988 single, “Hype According To Ms. Melodie,” in 1988. She released her only album, Diva, the following year via Jive Records. Her most memorable performance was on the 1989 single “Self Destruction” and she also has a cameo in Queen Latifah’s video “Ladies First.”