Duke Bootee, a legendary Hip Hop emcee, author and producer, has handed away. He was 69 years outdated.
His spouse, Rosita Fletcher, confirmed the information to The New York Times and says her husband died from coronary heart failure on January 13 in his dwelling in Savannah, Georgia.
Bootee, born Edward Fletcher in Elizabeth, New Jersey, was related to Sugar Hill Information and is greatest identified for his work with Melle Mel of Grandmaster Flash and the Livid 5. He went on to co-write and produce the 1982 traditional single “The Message,” which is broadly thought to be one of many biggest information in Hip Hop music historical past. The observe depicts the crumbled state that New York Metropolis was on the time and was created in response to the 1980 NYC transit strike.
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Musically, Fletcher first earned success and a spotlight by enjoying on Edwin Starr’s disco single “Contact,” which led to him signing a deal at Sugar Hill Information.
Fletcher spent the final decade of his profession as a lecturer in essential pondering and communication at Savannah State College the place he retired in 2019.
Edward Fletcher is survived by his spouse Rosita, his two youngsters, Owen Fletcher and Branice Moore, and 5 grandchildren.
