LL Cool J, Chuck D and Questlove Remember Craig Mack

LL Cool J, Chuck D, Joe Budden and more are mourning the death of former Bad Boy rapper, Craig Mack, who passed away yesterday (March 12) at 46. The rapper reportedly died of heart failure in a hospital near his home in Walterboro, SC, reports the New York Daily News.

Mack is most widely known for his 1994 smash hit, "Flava In Ya Ear" and its subsequent remix that featured heavy-hitters including Busta Rhymes, The Notorious B.I.G. and LL Cool J. The song is viewed as Biggie's major introduction and is one of the major markers for the beginning of Bad Boy's success, as Mack gave the label its first platinum record.

"We cannot forget one of the greatest hip hop single debuts in the culture," Questlove wrote on Instagram of Mack's hit single. "That song was the gym routine mc’s brushed their skills on. All due respect to brother Craig Mack w/o him & his cant lose single who knows what empire #BadBoywoulda become."

In 1997, after leaving Bad Boy, Mack released Operation: Get Down before turning his life over to religion. In the wake of his passing, several hip-hop stars have expressed their condolences.

"May the almighty embrace your soul & lift up your family and friends. it was a pleasure to know you & rock with you. You stepped away from the game & did it your way... I always respected that," LL Cool J wrote on Twitter.

Erick Sermon said that he and Mack were just finishing up a new project before he passed.

"I'm devastated over the news of Craig Mack.. We just finishing up his new album.. smh.. Rest in Power Craig..," he wrote on Twitter.

You can see more responses to Craig Mack's passing below.

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