Where These Legendary Rappers Are Buried

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When your favorite artist dies, it can feel like you lost someone you knew personally. Their music may have inspired you or gotten you through some of the toughest times in your life. Then they're gone, often too soon, when they were on the cusp of so much more. It's a real loss.

Super fans may want to find where their favorite artists are buried and visit them at their final resting place, but a lot of times, this information is kept hidden by the performers' families. Because their loved one lived a public life, they often want to give them privacy in death. Many times, the grave sites are vandalized, or they can be left a mess by well-meaning fans, which is obviously something families want to avoid. In some cases, in lieu of an actual grave site, one might find a memorial or mural.

The following rappers made such an impression that although their lives were cut short, they became legendary. Here's where they're buried.

Shock G, whose alter ego was the character "Humpty Hump," a rapper with a large plastic Groucho nose and glasses, was one of many legendary rappers who died too soon. Born Gregory Edward Jacobs in Brooklyn, New York, in 1963, he became famous for forming the group Digital Underground and discovering the talent of Tupac Shakur. In 1990, Digital Underground released their first album, "Sex Packets," which featured their No. 1 hit "The Humpty Dance." The group fashioned themselves as the modern Parliament Funkadelic and often sampled George Clinton's music. After the success of Digital Underground, Shock G contributed vocals and production services to several of Tupac's albums. 

On April 22, 2021, Shock G was found dead in a hotel in Tampa, Florida. He was 57 years old. Shock G's funeral was held on May 1 at Allen Temple AME Church in Tampa, Florida, and he was buried at Parklawn Memorial Cemetery.

DMX stood for Dark Man X, but he was born Earl Simmons in Mount Vernon, New York, in 1970. He is probably best known for his gravelly voice and the song "Party Up (Up in Here)." He got his start writing for other artists such as LL Cool J and Mase. DMX's 1998 album "It's Dark and Hell Is Hot" made him a star, especially the single "Get at Me Dog." His next two albums, "Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood" and "And Then There Was X," were chart-toppers as well, and he also had an acting career, starring in films like "Cradle 2 the Grave" and "Exit Wounds."

On April 9, 2021, DMX died after he suffered a heart attack caused by an overdose. He was 50 years old. DMX's funeral procession was emblematic of his favorite things — motorcycles, four-wheelers, and dirt bikes. "Long Live DMX" was written on the monster truck that carried DMX's red coffin to Brooklyn for his funeral at Barclays Center. DMX was then laid to rest at Oakland Cemetery in Yonkers, New York.

The Notorious B.I.G., aka "Biggie Smalls," was born Christopher George Latore Wallace in 1972 in Brooklyn, New York. He rose to fame in 1994 with his debut album "Ready to Die," with hits such as "Big Poppa" and "One More Chance" leading him to a Grammy nomination. He would never get the chance to release another album. Still, by the time of his death, Biggie was a legend at only 24 years old.

On March 9, 1997, after leaving a Soul Train Awards after-party, Biggie was shot four times while stopped at a red light, and his murder remains unsolved to this day. Biggie's body was sent to his hometown of New York City. According to Classic Hip Hop Magazine, "Biggie was placed in an oversized African mahogany casket dressed in a white double-breasted suit complete with a white 'playa' hat." After his funeral, he was cremated, and his remains were given to family members. While you cannot visit Biggie at any particular gravesite, you can see many wonderful murals and visit his stomping grounds all over Brooklyn.

Tupac was born Lesane Parish Crooks in 1971 in Harlem, New York. His mother changed his name to Tupac Amaru Shakur, after a Peruvian revolutionary who died fighting Spanish rule. Like most rap artists, Tupac got his start featuring on other major rap albums. He sang on Digital Underground's song "Same Song" and then their album "Sons of the P." He was then given his first album, "2Pacalyspe Now," making him a household name. Tupac went on to release four more albums before his untimely death at only 25 years of age.

On September 7, 1996, Tupac was stopped at a red light in Las Vegas when a car pulled up and someone shot him four times. He died six days later from internal bleeding. Tupac was cremated, and his remains were given to his mother, Afeni Shakur. She had plans to bury his ashes in Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa, though it is unclear if she completed that mission. She purchased nine acres of land in Stone Mountain, Georgia, and turned it into a "peace garden" with a statue of Tupac in the middle. Unfortunately, she sold the garden, and the statue was taken down. The new owner has commissioned a new statue, though it has yet to be seen.

Nipsey Hussle was born Ermias Joseph Asghedom in Los Angeles in 1985. He was famous for both his music and his entrepreneurism. He began releasing his own mixtapes and then eventually featuring with other artists such as Drake and Snoop Dogg. After leaving Epic, he created his own label and sold his own mixtapes at prices of his determination. By 2018, he'd been nominated for a Grammy. Nipsey was an inspiration for his grit, music, and charitable spirit. He was also taken too soon at age 33, when he was murdered.

On March 31, 2019, Nipsey Hussle was shot 10 times in front of his Marathon Clothing store in South Los Angeles. Nipsey's funeral was so big that they had to hold it at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles. His funeral procession drove through LA, giving even more people a chance to mourn. Nipsey was buried at Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills cemetery, where other celebrities such as Jimmy Stewart and Elizabeth Taylor have been laid to rest. You can visit him there, or you can visit his Marathon Clothing store on the corner of Nipsey Hussle Square, named in his honor.

Born Jason William Mizell in 1965 in Brooklyn, Jam Master Jay was best known for creating the epic street style of the hip-hop scene in the 1980s: black clothes, fedoras, gold chains, and most importantly — Adidas. Jam Master Jay began DJing at age 13. In 1982, he met Joseph "Run" Simmons and Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels, and the three formed the group Run DMC. The group was successful throughout the '80s, with hits such as "It's Like That" and "Walk This Way." At the time of his murder in 2002, Jam Master Jay was running his own record label and had discovered talent such as Onyx and 50 Cent. 

On October 30, 2002, Jam Master Jay was at his studio in Queens when two men broke in and shot him, resulting in his death. Two men were finally arrested for the murder in 2020 and convicted in 2024. Jam Master Jay was buried at Ferncliff Cemetery in Westchester County, New York, a place where other famous people, including Malcolm X and James Baldwin, are buried.

Eazy-E was born Eric Lynn Wright in 1964 in Compton, Los Angeles. He is known for starting the rap trio N.W.A. with Ice Cube and Dr. Dre. They rose to fame instantly after the release of their albums "N.W.A. and the Posse" and "Straight Outta Compton" in the late '80s and became legendary for getting a letter from the FBI regarding the anti-police sentiments in their music. After N.W.A. broke up in the '90s, Eazy stayed on as head of Ruthless Records, the label he co-founded with famed music manager Jerry Heller. In 1995, at only 30 years old, he was diagnosed with AIDS. Eazy-E died on March 26, 1995.

Eazy had a large funeral with family members and fans. According to a 1995 article in the Los Angeles Times, Compton mayor Omar Bradley called him "Compton's favorite son" and recognized that, "Eric made Compton famous not just in California, but all over the world." Eazy was buried at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier. Those wanting to pay tribute used to be able to freely visit the gravesite, but due to littering, the family has requested that the cemetery staff not reveal its location to visitors. 

Juice Wrld was born Jarad Anthony Higgins in 1998 in Chicago, Illinois, and was part of a new generation of artists becoming famous through SoundCloud. He started by recording songs on his cellphone and posting them online; by age 19, he had a record deal with Interscope. Sadly, days after his 21st birthday, he died of a drug overdose. Some of his lyrics seemed to foreshadow this fate: "They tell me I'ma be a legend/I don't want that title now/'Cause all the legends seem to die out."

On December 8, 2019, Juice Wrld died shortly after his plane touched down in Chicago. Authorities were waiting to search the plane for guns and drugs, and the rapper reportedly went into convulsions during the raid. The agents tried to revive him, but he was transported to an area hospital and declared dead. Toxicology reports showed it was a drug overdose. Juice Wrld is buried at Beverly Cemetery in Cook County, Illinois.

Pop Smoke was born Bashar Barakah Jackson in 1999 in Canarsie, Brooklyn. He was the face of the Brooklyn "drill" rap movement and had hit songs such as "Welcome to the Party" and "Dior." "Welcome to the Party" was streamed millions of times within days of its release. Smoke went on to work with other big rap artists such as Nicki Minaj and Travis Scott. Only 20 years old, Pop Smoke was just getting started when he was murdered in a home invasion.

On February 19, 2020, Smoke was staying at a home in the Hollywood Hills when several attackers entered and shot him. Four people – two teenagers and two adults — were charged with the murder in July. All four were eventually convicted and sentenced to incarceration. Smoke had an old-fashioned funeral procession in Brooklyn, his body carried throughout Canarsie in a see-through horse-drawn carriage. He was buried at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.

Born Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy in 1998 in Plantation, Florida, XXXTentacion first uploaded his music to SoundCloud in 2013. His music was deeply confessional, and he was often open about his issues with depression. By the time of his death in 2018, XXXTentacion's album "?" had made it to No. 1 on the Billboard charts, and he'd reportedly signed a $6 million contract. However, he died at only 20 years old, before anyone got to see the result of his contract.

On June 18, 2018, in the middle of the day, XXXTentacion was leaving a motorcycle shop when two masked men approached his car to rob him. One of them shot the rapper before leaving the scene. In 2023, three men were convicted of first-degree murder and armed robbery, with a fourth pleading guilty to second-degree murder. An open-casket memorial was held for XXXTentacion's fans at the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida, and a private ceremony for close friends and family was held later. He was laid to rest at the Gardens of Boca Raton Memorial Park in a large mausoleum with his stage name and real name etched in the stone.

Ol' Dirty Bastard, or ODB, was born Russell Tyrone Jones in 1968 in Brooklyn. He became known for being a member of the Wu-Tang Clan in the early 1990s and for releasing his own album, "Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version" in 1996, earning him a Grammy nomination. According to Salon, ODB biographer Mickey Hess said, "The real tragedy of Dirty's treatment by the press is that for the most part he was only in the papers for his outbursts and arrests, so when you outline his life in the headlines he looks like a mixture of a clown, or a thug, or a superhero, like his life was performance art." Hess cowrote a book called "The Dirty Version: On Stage, in the Studio, and in the Streets with Ol' Dirty Bastard" as an attempt to show another side of the artist. Fans were drawn to ODB for his lyrics but also his persona. He brought a level of humor and edginess to hip-hop that had not been done before.

On November 13, 2004, at age 35, ODB died of a drug overdose at the Wu-Tang Clan Studios in New York City. According to MTV News, at ODB's funeral, his cousin and bandmate RZA eulogized him: "Remorsefully, RZA admitted that as Dirty's troubles with various vices grew, he told him, 'I'm dying.' ... [RZA] warned the congregation that we all need to keep love in our hearts and never neglect family." ODB was cremated, and his ashes were given to family members. Die-hard fans can visit a mural of him in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn.

Born Robert Earl Davis Jr. in 1971 in Smithville, Texas, DJ Screw was famous for engineering the Houston rap style "chopped and screwed," where the music is remixed and slowed down, distorting the voice with cuts done by skipping beats and scratching sounds. He is also well known for popularizing "purple drank" — a concoction of codeine syrup and purple soda. He started "screwing" music as a teenager and selling the tapes. Over time, everyone wanted a screw tape, and DJ Screw became a huge underground success.

DJ Screw died of a codeine overdose on November 16, 2000, though his friends blamed his relentless work pace, heavy smoking, and other lifestyle habits as contributing factors to his death at the age of 33. At the time of his death, his regional renown had begun to spread, influencing artists such as T-Pain and Drake. The phrase "sippin' sizzurp" became a cultural fixture as well. DJ Screw is buried at Cunningham Cemetery in Smithville, Texas.

Nate Dogg was born Nathaniel Dwayne Hale in 1969 in Long Beach, California, and is most famous for the hit song "Regulate," which he sang with Warren G in 1994. Nate Dogg often collaborated with Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg as well. Known as the "King of Hooks," he was an in-demand featured artist in the 1990s and 2000s, providing melodies and bridges on tracks by 50 Cent, Tupac Shakur, Fabolous, and more. At the time of his death, he had been nominated for four Grammys.

On March 15, 2011, Nate Dogg died from complications from multiple strokes. He'd had a stroke back in 2007 and had nearly recovered before suffering another stroke in 2008. This one left the rapper partially paralyzed. He couldn't speak and was breathing through a tube. Nate Dogg's funeral was held at the Queen Mary Dome in Long Beach, where his friends Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, and Warren G. came to pay their respects. He is buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Long Beach, and he got a brand-new headstone in 2020. 

Pimp C was born Chad Butler in Port Arthur, Texas, in 1973, and he was half of the legendary rap duo UGK (Underground Kingz) with partner Bun B. They were an underground sensation in the Houston rap scene until they signed with Bigtyme Records and released their first album, "The Southern Way," in 1988. The duo signed with Jive Records in 1992 and released "Too Hard to Swallow," the first of eight albums they would produce for the label. Pimp C is also known for featuring on tracks such as "Big Pimpin" with Jay-Z and "Sippin' on Some Syrup" with Three 6 Mafia.

In 2002, Pimp C was arrested for violating his probation and was sentenced to eight years in prison. According to the rapper's website, "His arrest was widely protested by the hip-hop community, who immediately initiated a grassroots 'Free Pimp C' campaign." He was released in 2005 and put on parole until 2009. The duo released their last album in 2007, "UGK: Underground Kingz," which was a critical and financial success. Later that year, on December 4, Pimp C was found dead in his hotel room in Los Angeles from an accidental overdose exacerbated by sleep apnea. He is buried at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Groves, Texas, not far from Port Arthur.

Heavy D was born Dwight Arrington Myers in 1967 in Manchester, Jamaica. He was the lead singer of Heavy D & the Boys and referred to himself as the "overweight lover MC." Three of the group's five albums went platinum. In 1995, Heavy D became president of Uptown Records. He is also known for creating the memorable theme song for the TV show "In Living Color."

On November 8, 2011, Heavy D died of a pulmonary embolism caused by deep vein thrombosis. Basically, a blood clot that developed while he was on a long flight reached his lung. Up until his death, Heavy D continued recording and performing — his last performance was at the 2011 BET Awards. Heavy D was buried at Ferncliff Cemetery in LA. In 2023, Heavy D's adopted hometown of Mount Vernon, New York, unveiled an 18-foot statue that had been commissioned in his honor, titled "Peaceful Journey."

Chris Kelly was born in Atlanta in 1978 and is known for being a part of the duo Kris Kross with his friend Chris Smith. Their song "Jump" became a No. 1 hit when they were only about 13 years old, making them the first "lil" rappers to become famous. They also popularized the trend of wearing their baggy clothes backwards. The duo enjoyed some success with their next two albums, but "Jump" would be their only chart-topping hit. They parted ways after releasing their 1996 album "Young, Rich and Dangerous." Kelly continued to work in music after going to school to learn studio engineering.

On May 1, 2013, Kelly, then 34 years old, was found unresponsive. Multiple drugs were found in his system. His mother said that he had used heroin mixed with cocaine the night before, so it is suspected that he died of a drug overdose. Chris Kelly is buried at Westview Cemetery in Atlanta.

For more on Kelly's life and career, read our feature about the untold truth of Kris Kross. 

Big L was born Lamont Coleman in Harlem, New York, in 1974. He signed with Columbia Records in 1993 and released his debut album, "Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous," in 1995. He was well known for being a talented lyricist, but his songs were too edgy for the radio, making him more of an underground sensation. Big L eventually got to work with some of the biggest names in hip-hop, including Jay-Z and Tupac. He was also a member of the rap supergroup Children of the Corn, along with Mase and Cam'ron. 

Big L was murdered in February 1999, when he was only 24 years old. He was shot nine times while walking down a street in Harlem. A suspect was arrested but released due to lack of evidence, and the murder remains unsolved. Big L was laid to rest at George Washington Memorial Park in New Jersey.

Mac Miller was born Malcolm James McCormick in Pittsburgh in 1992. Miller started his career at 15, releasing his first mixtape, "But My Mackin' Ain't Easy," in 2007. He released two more tapes before being signed by Rostrum Records in 2010. The video for his 2011 single "Donald Trump" has millions of views on YouTube, and the song itself was downloaded more than 1 million times. Miller went on to have three Billboard toppers with his albums "Watching Movies With the Sound Off," "GO:OD AM," and "The Divine Feminine."

On September 7, 2018, Mac Miller died of a drug overdose at only 26 years old. Three men were arrested and charged with supplying the drugs that killed him; two were sentenced to prison, while the third was released in 2024. Miller was buried at Homewood Cemetery in Pittsburgh.

Proof was born Deshaun Dupree Holton in 1973 in Detroit. Proof is known for his albums "Devil's Night" and "D12 World," and for his association with Eminem and the Shady Records family. He was the heart of the Detroit hip-hop scene and a mentor to many of its artists. At Proof's funeral, Eminem said, "Without Proof, there would be a Marshall Mathers, but there would not be an Eminem, there would not be a D12 and there would not be a Slim Shady." Proof was the inspiration for the character Future, played by Mekhi Phifer, in the film "8 Mile."

On April 11, 2006, Proof was murdered at the C.C.C. nightclub in Detroit. The police stated that Proof had shot a man named Keith Bender Jr., who later died, before Bender's cousin, Mario Etheridge, shot back and killed the rapper. Proof's casket was taken by a horse-drawn carriage to his final resting place, Woodlawn Cemetery in Detroit.

Lil Peep was born Gustav Elijah Åhr in 1996 in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He got his start creating music in his bedroom at home and later moved to Los Angeles to pursue music. He began uploading his songs to SoundCloud, where he developed a large following. Lil Peep had two mixtapes, "Crybaby" and "Hellboy," and then the album "Come Over When You're Sober Pt. 1." With his signature blend of hip-hop and emo, Lil Peep appeared to be on the cusp of major stardom. 

On November 15, 2017 — just two weeks after his 21st birthday — Lil Peep died of an accidental drug overdose of fentanyl and Xanax in Tucson, Arizona. The rapper had been touring extensively, performing in the U.S. and across Europe, and he was on tour when he passed. Lil Peep was cremated, and his ashes were reportedly buried in his grandfather's garden. In 2019, Lil Peep's mother filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the late rapper's management company, claiming its representatives had supplied him with the drugs that killed him; the lawsuit was settled out of court in 2023. 

Some of the biggest rap and hip-hop hits of the late 1990s and early 2000s were only possible due to the work of producer, singer, songwriter, and rapper Static Major. He co-wrote numerous Aaliyah hits and co-produced "Pony" by Ginuwine, and he was a credited featured performer on the No. 1 Lil Wayne hit "Lollipop." That song was released after Static Major's death, while a long-planned full-length solo album was shelved in the wake of the tragedy.

In February 2008, an ill Static Major (or Stephen Garrett) checked into Baptist Hospital East in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, and was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition. A poorly installed catheter line precipitated a respiratory emergency, and the 33-year-old rapper died. His body now lies in the Calvary Cemetery in Louisville, beneath a massive gravesite monument. Two pillars support a large beam bearing the rapper's real last name, Garrett, which sits above a black-and-white etched portrait of Static Major.

Of the many all-female pop and R&B groups of the 1990s, TLC stood out because it was the only one with an edgy rapper. Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes represented the "L" in her trio's name, and she wore condoms over her left eye to encourage sexual health as well as offered motor-mouthed and expansive rap breaks in many TLC hits, including "No Scrubs" and "Waterfalls."

Lopes had decamped to rural Honduras for a spiritual retreat scheduled to last several months when on April 25, 2002, she lost control of a rental car when attempting to avoid a head-on collision. The vehicle rolled and hit a tree, and the impact delivered a skull fracture that instantly killed the 30-year-old rapper. After Lopes' body was transported to Atlanta, relatives held a private service, and then a larger one, in which a 150-person choir performed in front of guests that included the rest of TLC, Bobby Brown, Janet Jackson, and Whitney Houston. The lyrics to Lopes' rap from TLC's hit "Waterfalls" had been etched into the white casket. That same passage was also engraved into Lopes' headstone in the Hillandale Memorial Gardens in Lithonia, Georgia. Those words are flanked by a collage of full-color images of Lopes taken throughout her professional, adult life, along with some stock images of space, mountains, and waterfalls.

When Soulja Slim first started rapping, he went by the name Magnolia Slim, a nod to the Magnolia Projects in New Orleans were he lived. Later a member of the No Limit Records collective, his album "Give It 2 'Em Raw" debuted at No. 13 on the Billboard album chart. In 2004, the rapper hit No. 1 as a featured artist on Juvenile's "Slow Motion." That success was bittersweet, as Soulja Slim had died months earlier.

Soulja Slim, born with the name James Tapp, stood in the front yard of the home in New Orleans he'd purchased for his mother on November 26, 2003, when he was murdered. He endured four gunshots, which proved fatal to the 26-year-old rapper. Following the funeral, a procession ran through the Magnolia Projects, where hundreds of revelers marched and celebrated the life of the musician. Soulja Slim's casket then arrived at the Mount Olivet Cemetery and Mausoleum. The rapper's remains were then interred in the latter element of the complex, in the second level of the "Corridor of Angels." His spot is easy to locate — it bears a small, oval-framed photo of Soulja Slim.

The influential '90s hip-hop label Bad Boy Records launched The Notorious B.I.G. to superstardom, whose first major work was a feature on a remix of the 1994 hit "Flava in Ya Ear." Both versions of that song featured Craig Mack, the first Bad Boy signee and star, who took that song into the pop top 10 with his agile and free-wheeling vocal delivery.

On March 12, 2018, Mack died at his South Carolina home of what at the time was cited as a heart attack but was, years later, revealed to be complications related to AIDS (via Rolling Stone); he was 47 years old. Despite a slew of social media-issued remembrances from the many hip-hop luminaries with whom Mack worked, only one music industry figure, DJ Scratch, attended the low-key funeral near where the rapper was raised in Long Island, New York. Mack's body was returned to his more recent home of South Carolina, where he was buried in a modest grave in Overcomer Cemetery. The musician's simple headstone bears Mack's name, birth and death dates, and the inscriptions "Brother" and "Praise the Lord!"

Coolio burst on the scene in 1994 with the laid-back, fun-loving "Fantastic Voyage," a No. 3 hit, and one year later showed he could go much darker with "Gangsta's Paradise." The top single of 1995, it played throughout the movie "Dangerous Minds" and was told from the point of view of a gang member who feels hopeless, trapped, and awaiting certain death.

When Coolio (real name: Artis Ivey Jr.) was found unconscious on the floor of a friend's bathroom on September 28, 2002, emergency medical personnel were called but they couldn't revive the rapper. A heart attack was initially suspected, but a coroner's investigation showed that the 59-year-old Coolio died from a fatal overdose of multiple drugs, including fentanyl, methamphetamine, and heroin. Within 10 days, Coolio's family opted to cremate the body of the musician and held a private and small funeral service. Afterward, some of the ashes were dispensed into an urn while most were enclosed inside of pendant necklaces. Every one of Coolio's 10 children received one of those keepsakes, while a few were given to some of the rapper's other relatives.

The Atlanta-based Rich Gang dominated rap in the 2010s, particularly member Rich Homie Quan. His time in the limelight really only spanned about two years, but it was very fruitful, as the rapper made big hits out of "Type of Way," "Walk Thru," and "Flex (Ooh Ooh Ooh)."

On September 5, 2024, the musician also known as Dequantes Devontay Lamar was discovered unresponsive in an Atlanta residence, and he died in a local hospital. The Fulton County medical examiner's office determined that the 34-year-old died from an unintentional overdose of drugs, and that the rapper had codeine, fentanyl, and Xanax in his system. Twelve days after the death, and a day after the rapper's estate dropped a tribute song to the rapper called "Song Cry," the World Changers Church International near Atlanta held a public and live-streamed memorial service for Rich Homie Quan. Following the celebration, the rapper's casket was escorted to the Westview Cemetery in Atlanta in a white carriage pulled by a pair of white horses.

If you or anyone you know needs help with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).