Influential hip-hop and LA beat scene producer Ras G dies, aged 39

Influential hip-hop and LA beat scene producer Ras G dies, aged 39
(Image credit: Getty/PYMCA)

One of hip-hop’s most influential producers, Ras G, has passed away at the age of 39, it has been confirmed.

Born Gregory Shorter Jr. and hailing from Los Angeles, California, Ras G was one of the founder members of the Brainfeeder collective alongside Flying Lotus and was also involved with Leaving Records, Poo-Bah Records and Ramp Recordings.

Though the cause of death has been unconfirmed, Ras had recently been suffering from ill-health, announcing on Instagram, late last year, that he’d been hospitalised with “pneumonia, borderline high blood pressure, diabetes, hypothyroidism and heart failure”.

His brother, Bryan Shorter, has set up a Gofundme page in Gregory’s honour to help the family with the costs of keeping his legacy alive. 

See more
See more
See more
See more
See more
See more
See more
Simon Arblaster
Video Producer & Reviews Editor

I take care of the reviews on MusicRadar and Future Music magazine, though can sometimes be spotted in front of a camera talking little sense in the presence of real musicians. For the past 30 years, I have been unable to decide on which instrument to master, so haven't bothered. Currently, a lover of all things high-gain in the guitar stakes and never one to resist churning out sub-standard funky breaks, the likes of which you'll never hear.