UK rapper Ty has died, as The Guardian reports. The Nigerian British artist, who was nominated for the Mercury Prize in 2004, died from COVID-19 complications. He was 47 years old.
Ty was born Ben Chijioke to Nigerian immigrant parents in London. He released his debut album The Awkward in 2001. His sophomore LP, Upwards, earned him a Mercury Prize nomination, where he faced the likes of Amy Winehouse, Snow Patrol, and winners Franz Ferdinand. After the success of Upwards, Ty had several notable guests—including De La Soul, Taylor McFerrin, and Arrested Development’s Speech—on his 2006 record Closer.
Ty released his final solo album, A Work of Heart, in March 2018. And, last year, Ty had formed a supergroup called KingDem with fellow UK rappers Rodney P and Blak Twang.