‘Rest in peace’: Tributes pour in as Detroit rapper Lichelle Laws aka Boss dies at 54

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Rapper Boss, who was also the first female MC signed to Def Jam Recordings, has died. As per reports, the artist, whose original name was Lichelle Laws, passed away on Monday, March 11, 2024. She was 54.

Fellow rapper Bun B paid tribute to the rapper on Instagram. He wrote, “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!”

Tributes paid to Rapper Boss

Other stars too joined Bun B in remembering the beloved artist.

Jermaine Dupri, Jadakiss, 9th Wonder, Ed Lover, Lloyd Banks, and Slim Thug were among the many people who paid their tribute under the UGK spitter’s social media share.

DJ Premier said, “Damn! R.I.P. BO$$. Condolences to your family… We did a dope “Deeper Rmx” @defjam never released. Back in 1993 she came to D & D and recut her vocals to my beat. It was so RAW. We had a good session drinking 40’s, puffin Lah and vibing.”

“Can someone at Def Jam find that in the Vaults? I want a copy of that Remix. Sleep Peacefully Queen. S**t was mad real,” he concluded.

DJ Battlecat wrote, "I hate posting but people got to know who she was from Detroit very own first fire incredible M.C. Boss to come out and set the tone with Gansta Rap in a lyrical heart felt way."

"Rest in Detroit Queen & thank you for everything! @dolldetroit for being by her side when we all first met in 1993 in garage studio wow."

Meanwhile, Warren G reacted, “Rip Lichelle aka Bos one of the Dopest females to rap and was a good friend and label mate. #DefJam.”

How did Rapper Boss die?

Rapper Boss' cause of death is yet to be revealed. However, it was well known that she had been struggling with health-related issues for a few years now.

In 2017, she suffered a major stroke and seizure, following which she was in desperate need of a kidney transplant.

Boss’ GoFundMe page set up in 2021 read, “We are now trying to see if the family can get a specialized procedure for her."

“The procedure is costly and we wanted to reach out to her extended family, her friends and fans, to ask for assistance with helping her to be blessed with this procedure to help her to get back to her health. The funds are needed as soon as possible to set her up for the procedure, per HipHopDX.

Boss was the first female rap act associated with Def Jam, and her debut album 'Born Gangstaz' came in 1993.

Her 'Deeper' single made it to number 1 on the rap charts for her 'gruff style and harcore delivery'.

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