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. 

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.