Educated Rapper of UTFO Dead at 54, Hip-Hop Reacts

Educated Rapper, who was a member of the iconic 1980s rap group UTFO, has passed away at the age of 56. According to some of the former MC's friends, including Geto Boys' DJ Ready Red, Raheim of the Furious Five, fellow UTFO member Mix Master Ice and legendary Bronx promoter Van Silk, Educated Rapper, also known as EMD, was taken to a hospital in Brooklyn this past Saturday (June 3), where he later passed away after a long fight with cancer.

A Facebook post from Master Ice asked fans and friends of EMD for their prayers prior to the 56-year-old's passing. “This is a All Out Cry For Prayer. I just got the ok from family to go viral.. As I hold his hand, I need everyone’s power in prayer to pray for one of my best friends since 1979 & hip hop partner, Jeffrey Campbell.. Known to our World Wide fans as: The Educated Rapper MD or EMD 1/4 of the U.T.F.O. crew, which stands for: ‘Untouchable Force Organization.’ * He is extremely ill and not doing well..Please help us pray for a Miracle Blessing," Ice wrote in the post.

Silk also posted a tribute to EMD on Facebook after confirming that the rapper had been fighting cancer for some time. He spoke on coming to visit the ill rapper in the hospital, where UTFO had an emotional reunion while their brother was in a hospital bed.

“Sorry..I heard the pain and prayer last night when I called when you was with him. Thanks for letting me be part of that moment. MAY OUR HIP HOP AMBASSADOR SLEEP IN PEACE..REST SIR. JEFFERY CAMPBELL aka EDUCATED RAPPER," Silk wrote.

A statement from reps for UTFO sent XXL the following statement: "With heavy hearts, the members of legendary rap group UTFO announce the passing of member and co-founder, Jeffery Campbell more commonly known as The Educated Rapper (EMD). Campbell fought a long battle with cancer, and in his final days, the group, in its entirety, were gathered together to say goodbye. EMD, known for his “Larry, Barry, Harry” rap in the 80s hit “Roxanne, Roxanne” was also the 2009 Valedictorian of the College of New Rochelle, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a Baccalaureate in Communications."

The hip-hop community has been sending their prayers and condolences out to loved ones of Educated Rapper, with some even sharing the impact that the MC had on them. See what Funkmaster Flex, Just Blaze, DJ Premier and more had to say in the gallery below.

Hip-Hop Reacts to the Death of UTFO's Educated Rapper

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