In Memoriam : Bo$$, Def Jam’s West first female rapper, dies at 54

Bo$$, best known as the first female rapper signed to Def Jam Recordings West, has passed away from kidney failure.

Passing

On Monday (March 11), Bun B shared the news of her passing in a heartfelt tribute on Instagram.

“Rest in peace to my big sis Lichelle Laws AKA Boss. One of the best female MCs and a dear friend. Give Rick Royal a hug for me. Long Live The Org!”

Bo$$, the first-ever female rapper signed to Def Jam

Real name Lichelle Laws, Bo$$ is a Detroit native who moved to Los Angeles after graduating high school to pursue a career in music.

She immediately began making waves in the L.A. scene. Soon after, she was discovered by one of DJ Quik‘s associates, Russell Simmons heard about her and signed her to Def Jam’s West Coast branch.

An acronym for Bi—es On Some Sh–, Bo$$ was actually a duo that consisted of Laws and her DJ, Irene “Dee” Moore.

In 1993, Bo$$ released their only studio album, Born Gangstaz, selling nearly 40,000 copies. With hits such as “Recipe of a Hoe,” “I Don’t Give a F–k,” “Deeper,” “Progress of Elimination” and “Mai Sista Izza B-tch,” the album reached No. 22 on the Billboard 200 tally and No. 3 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

Over the last few years, Bo$$ reportedly suffered from renal disease and had a stroke and seziure in 2017.

She was 54 years old.