Entertainment

Legendary NYC rapper Kangol Kid of UTFO dead of cancer at 55

Kangol Kid, a member of iconic New York City hip-hop group UTFO, died on Saturday at the age of 55 after a battle with colon cancer.

The Brooklyn-born rapper, whose real name is Shaun Shiller Fequiere, died peacefully around 3 a.m. on Saturday at a hospital in Manhasset, New York, 10 months after he was first diagnosed, according to a statement from his family. 

As one of the four members of UTFO, or Untouchable Force Organization, Kid left his mark on the early days of commercial hip-hop with 1980s hits such as the highly influential “Roxanne, Roxanne” and “Ya Cold Wanna Be With Me.”

Known for always sporting his popular Kangol headwear, Kid was also known for helping raise awareness for cancer both before and after his cancer diagnosis through the Mama Luke Foundation.

Kangol Kid performs at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill.
Kangol Kid performs at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill. WireImage / Johnny Nunez
Doctor Ice, Mix Master Ice and Kangol Kid (right) from U.T.F.O. poses backstage at the U.I.C. Pavilion in Chicago, Ill. in January 1986.
Doctor Ice, Mix Master Ice and Kangol Kid (right) from U.T.F.O. poses backstage at the U.I.C. Pavilion in Chicago, Ill. in January 1986. Getty Images

With Post wires