Hip-Hop OG Chubb Rock—Best Known For “Treat ‘Em Right”—Has Reportedly Died
Veteran Hip-Hop artist Chubb Rock has reportedly died. According to an Instagram post from DJ Tony Neal, his passing was completely unexpected, however the Brooklyn native’s cause of death has yet to be disclosed.
“Chubb .. That’s what we’re doing today, fam @itschubbiebaby,” Neal wrote in the caption. “Come ooon, man. Now I see why I couldn’t catch up with you about next week. maaan fam #rip.”
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Chubb Rock (real name Richard Anthony Simpson) is a Jamaican-American rapper who gained fame in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Known for his deep, booming voice, witty lyrics and socially conscious themes, he emerged as a prominent figure in the golden age of hip-hop. Chubb Rock was born Richard Simpson in Kingston, Jamaica, and moved to Brooklyn, New York, where he grew up and started his music career.
His most successful album, 1991’s The One, produced several hit singles, including “Treat ‘Em Right,” “Just the Two of Us” and “The Chubbster.” Each song showcased his unique flow and ability to mix rowdy, danceable beats with insightful commentary. He was known for his sharp intelligence and positive, sometimes humorous approach to rapping, contrasting with some of the harder-edged artists of his era.
Chubb Rock had turned his attention toward health initiatives in later years, particularly those affecting the Black community.
“Most health situations and diseases are treatable and reversible,” he told Black Doctor.org. “Our society is really setting us up: criminal justice system, child support, education. Health is another form of eradication, except for this front, we have control.”
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Chubb Rock also talked about his struggles with Type 2 diabetes, saying, “My family is from Jamaica. Half of my father’s siblings came to America and half stayed. The ones who came died early and those who stayed lived to see their 80s and 90s. My uncle was diagnosed [with Type 1 diabetes] here then went back to Jamaica and lived in[to his] 90s. Before my father died young of diabetes, he asked me, ‘Son, what is America doing to us?’”
Chubb, who was only 56, follows the premature deaths of Fatman Scoop, DJ Clark Kent, Chino XL and a slew of others this year.
“A lot of my friends are dying,” he said earlier this year. “They aren’t making it to 60. Yes—I want people to be encouraged to go to the doctor and get regular checkups, but I also want other celebrities to hear from each other. They need to get help in all kinds of areas.”
In a cruel twist of fate, Chubb has now joined them. AllHipHop has reached out to DJ Tony Neal in hopes of gathering more details. This is a developing story.
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