,

tWitch and Other Black Celeb Deaths That Shook Us

These are the deaths of Black celebrities that nobody saw coming.

The death of Stephen “tWitch” Boss shocked everyone. Days before he reportedly killed himself, he could be seen on social media dancing with friends and family. The sudden death shocked everyone who enjoyed him as an entertainer.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?
Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?

With that news in mind, The Root took a look back at some of the most shocking Black celebrity deaths.

Takeoff

Photo: Getty Images Rich Fury

The Atlanta rapper who was known as a famed member of the rap group Migos died on Nov. 1 at the age of 28 when he was fatally shot outside of a bowling alley in Houston.

Coolio

Photo: Getty Images Tim Mosenfelder

Beloved Los Angeles rapper Coolio, known for his timeless hit “Gangsta’s Paradise,” died on September 28 at the age of 59. While his cause of death was thought to be cardiac arrest, the rapper’s son revealed that his father was going through some other health complications.

André Leon Talley

Photo: Getty Images Duffy-Marie Arnoult/WireImage

Legendary fashion icon and former Vogue creative director André Leon Talley died on Jan. 18 at the age of 73 from COVID-19, which was shocking to any and everyone who respected Talley’s work in the fashion world.

Chadwick Boseman

Photo: Getty Images Gareth Cattermole

Nobody saw this death coming. The iconic Black Panther actor Chadwick Boseman died on August 28, 202 from colon cancer at the age of 43. To the surprise of many fans and colleagues, the actor had been battling with the illness since 2016.

Kobe Bryant

Photo: Getty Images Harry How

When the news came out that NBA Hall of Famer Kobe Byrant died on January 26, 2020, in a helicopter crash along with his daughter, Gigi, we didn’t believe it. It was just hard to fathom that such an incredible figure could die so suddenly. He was only 41.

Cameron Boyce

Photo: Getty Images Group LA/Disney Channel

The young actor died at the age of 20 on July 6, 2019. Few people knew he was diagnosed with epilepsy which also happened to be the cause of death.

Bobbi Kristina Brown

Photo: Getty Images Group LA/Disney Channel

It’s chilling to think that Bobbi Kristina died similarly to her famous mother. The daughter of Whitney Houston on July 26, 2015, at the young age of 22. She died due to a combination of drowning and drug intoxication.

Prince

Photo: Getty Images Jonathan Daniel

One of the most beloved entertainers ever died on April 21, 2015, at the young age of 57 from an accidental fentanyl overdose. Nobody had any idea his death was coming, it just happened and the entire world mourned.

Lee Thompson Young

Photo: Shutterstock Featureflash Photo Agency

Talented actor Lee Thompson Young died at the young of 29 on August 18, 2013, from suicide. His body was found when he failed to show up to film an episode of Rizzoli & Isles and police came to his Los Angeles apartment for a well-being check.

Michael Clark Duncan

Photo: Getty Images Albert L. Ortega

Oscar-nominated actor Michael Clark Duncan died on September 3, 2012, at the age of 54. The 6'5" actor died of respiratory failure. In July 2012, he was taken to the hospital after suffering a myocardial infarction. Two months later he died.

Whitney Houston

Photo: Getty Images Kevin Winter

Whitney Houston’s struggle with drugs is well-documented, but nobody believed drugs would be the cause of her death when she still had so much more life to live. She died on February 11, 2012, at the age of 48. Houston accidentally drowned in a bathtub at a hotel in Beverly Hills. Both cocaine and heart disease contributed to her death.

Gary Coleman

Photo: Getty Images Kevin Winter

Iconic actor Gary Coleman died at the age of 42 on May 28, 2010. After suffering a head injury from a fall, he was taken to a hospital in Utah. While at the hospital he suffered a brain hemorrhage and died after being taken off life support.

Michael Jackson

Photo: Getty Images Kevork Djansezian-Pool

When the King of Pop died, the literally world stopped. Everyone was dumbfounded when the world’s most popular artist and star passed away. Michael Jackson died on June 25, 2009, at the age of 50 due to a combination of sedatives that were given to him by his doctor.

Isaac Hayes

Photo: Getty Images Michael Putland

The veteran crooner died on August 10, 2008, at the age of 65. The soul singer and songwriter died of a stroke. His wife found him laying on the floor of their Memphis home.

SLIDE #14Bernie Mac

Photo: Getty Images Scott Gries

Beloved actor and comedian Bernie Mac died on August 9, 2008, at the age of 50, in his hometown of Chicago due to Sarcoidosis, an inflammatory disease that attacks organs such as the lungs and lymph nodes. Comedians and fans across the world mourned his death.

Left Eye

Photo: Getty Images Steve Eichner

Nobody expected the death of Left Eye, one of TLC’s most beloved members, especially when she was in the middle of a successful music career. Born Lisa Lopes, Left Eye died in a car crash on April 25, 2002, at the age of 30 while she was on vacation in Honduras filming a documentary about charity work she was doing.

Aaliyah

Photo: Getty Images HRIS DELMAS/AFP

The death of Aaliyah was sad because fans never got to see the talented singer reach her full potential. On August 25, 2001, Aaliyah died in an airplane accident that killed everyone on board. She was only 22.

Notorious B.I.G.

Photo: Getty Images HRIS DELMAS/AFP

One of the greatest rappers of all times died on March 9, 1997, at the young age of 24. Despite many recognizing him as the greatest ever, he had so much more to achieve in music, which made his death that much harder to digest.

2pac

Photo: Getty Images Raymond Boyd

Similarly to Biggie, 2pac is also recognized as being one of the greatest rappers of all time, despite dying at a young age. While in Las Vegas, Pac was fatally shot in a drive-by shooting on September 13, 1996, at the age of 26.

Marvin Gaye

Photo: Getty Images Paul Natkin

The greatest singer of all time (in my opinion) died at the age of 44 on April 1, 1984, just one day before his birthday. His death was even more shocking because of the person who killed him. He was fatally shot by his father Marvin Gay Sr.

Jimi Hendrix

Photo: Getty Images Don Paulsen/Michael Ochs Archives

One of the most legendary and influential guitarists in American history died in London at 27 on September 18, 1970. Hendrix died of asphyxia while intoxicated with barbiturates.

Stephen “tWitch” Boss

Photo: Getty Images Jason Mendez/WireImage

Known for being the longtime DJ on Ellen Degeneres’ famed talk show, Stephen “tWitch” Boss died on Dec. 13, 2022, at the age of 40 by suicide. While some may have speculated why, none of us really know what he was going through personally.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Have You Heard of The Tragic Story of Phyllis Hyman, a Beautiful, Soulful Singer Derailed By Her Own Demons?

Have You Heard of The Tragic Story of Phyllis Hyman, a Beautiful, Soulful Singer Derailed By Her Own Demons?

The soulful singer, known for hits like "Living All Alone and "You Know How to Love Me" died on June 30, 1995, just days before her 46th birthday ...
13 Ways Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' Will Impact Black Americans

13 Ways Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Will Impact Black Americans

With its hidden provisions and bold attacks to Medicaid and Pell Grant recipients, here's everything you need to know before it's way too late ...

Suge Knight Claims Tupac's Mother Made This Shocking Move in His Final Moments

Suge Knight Claims Tupac’s Mother Made This Shocking Move in His Final Moments

Knight's latest claim follows a series of confessions that might be tough to beliieve for a lot of folks ...
Spoilers: Black TikTok Has Theories on Whether Taraji's Daughter in 'Straw'

Spoilers: Black TikTok Has Theories on Whether Taraji’s Daughter in ‘Straw’

A very interesting theory about the major plot twist of the film is now being widely dissected and we've just got to discuss it! ...
The Unbelievable Reasons Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Got off to a Rocky Start

The Unbelievable Reasons Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Got off to a Rocky Start

So far, the jury has sent five different notes to the judge, suggesting jury deliberation in this case will be tedious and difficult ...
The Gruesome Truth Behind the Death Of a 7-Year-Old Florida Girl Found Unresponsive in Her Home

The Gruesome Truth Behind the Death Of a 7-Year-Old Florida Girl Found Unresponsive in Her Home

Naikishia L. Williams originally told police her daughter became unresponsive after she was given medication, but quickly, those claims were refuted ...
Remy Ma Detained After Altercation With Daughter of Man Her Son is Accused of Killing— And it Was All Caught on Camera

Remy Ma Detained After Altercation With Daughter of Man Her Son is Accused of Killing— And it Was All Caught on Camera

Jayson Scott, Remy Ma's son, faces murder charges for his alleged involvement in the 2021 shooting death of Darius Guillebeaux ...
DDG Says He Wants Another Kid, But the Details Behind It Have the Internet Big Mad

DDG Says He Wants Another Kid, But the Details Behind It Have the Internet Big Mad

In a now viral clip, the popular streamer was caught expressing his desire to have another child, but his method has the internet in a tizzy! ...
Mike Tyson Wants to Talk to Trump About What??

Mike Tyson Wants to Talk to Trump About What??

The former heavyweight champion wants President Trump to make the changes to some current laws that the Biden administration did not ...
Why a Lot of Black Folks Aren't Feeling Michelle Obama's Post-White House Era

Why a Lot of Black Folks Aren’t Feeling Michelle Obama’s Post-White House Era

After her podcast with her brother launched in March, some dedicated fans say silence is golden ...
Chris Brown Wants This... To Stop Right Now!

Chris Brown Wants This… To Stop Right Now!

Conversations about where Brown stands amongst the R&B space specifically, were renewed recently but it doesn't seem like he's here for it ...
Huge New Development in Case of Black Daycare Owner Who Shot Husband After Discovering Abuse

Huge New Development in Case of Black Daycare Owner Who Shot Husband After Discovering Abuse

Supporters say Daycare Owner shouldn't have spent a single day behind bars ...
Plot Twist: MAGA Drags Ex-Rep. Jamaal Bowman for N-Word Claims And They Are ... Right

Plot Twist: MAGA Drags Ex-Rep. Jamaal Bowman for N-Word Claims And They Are … Right

Past studies have noted a link between racism and health concerns for Black Americans, but there's no evidence to directly back up Bowman's claims ...
Photo: Getty Images Paras Griffinfor Idol Roc; Win McNamee

Why Nelly Needs to Finally Admit the Real Reason He Performed For Trump

Nelly is still defending his decision to perform at President Donald Trump's inauguration, when he should just own up to it ...
Black TikToker Who Sprayed Bug Killer on Walmart Food Learns His Fate

Black TikToker Who Sprayed Bug Killer on Walmart Food Learns His Fate

Wolfie Kahletti pleaded guilty in April, and now, he's officially been sentenced for his December crimes ...
Three Friends Were Headed To A Beyoncé Concert, But One  Dies On the Way. Guess What The Other Two Did Next?

Three Friends Were Headed To A Beyoncé Concert, But One Dies On the Way. Guess What The Other Two Did Next?

A group of friends who experienced tragedy on their way to a Cowboy Carter show have sparked a viral debate about what would keep fans from seeing Queen Bey ...
This White Singer Sang This Chaka Khan Iconic Hit and Black Internet Lost Its Mind

This White Singer Sang This Chaka Khan Iconic Hit and Black Internet Lost Its Mind

Once Hayley Williams' clip began to make the rounds on social media, a lot of Black folks had a myriad of reactions! Let's get into it ...
Will Smith Just Brought Up the Chris Rock Oscars Slap And He Doesn't Seem Sorry ...Anymore

Will Smith Just Brought Up the Chris Rock Oscars Slap And He Doesn’t Seem Sorry …Anymore

It looks like the "Fresh Prince" star is feeling a bit differently about it than before and we've got the tea to prove it! ...
Angela Bassett arrives for the 74th Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California, on September 12, 2022. Photo: Getty Images Chris Delmas / AFP

8 Black Actors Who Got Their Start in August Wilson Plays

Some of our greatest actors have appeared in the prolific playwright's shows on and Off Broadway ...