Photo Credit: DJ Paul’s Instagram
Memphis rapper and Three 6 Mafia member Gangsta Boo dead at 43.
Lola Mitchell, better known as Gangsta Boo, died at the age of 43 after she was found unresponsive while visiting a friend’s home in Memphis. She was best known as one of the members of Three 6 Mafia, with whom she released multiple albums throughout the ’90s and early 2000s. Circumstances surrounding her death are as yet unknown.
Fellow Three 6 Mafia collaborator Mr. Del spoke to Memphis news anchor Kelli Cook about Mitchell’s passing. He explained that she was living in Los Angeles but kept extending her visit to Memphis because there were “so many people she wanted to see.” Mr. Del notes that she was working on a new album, The Boo-Print.
“It’s just a major loss. A major loss for us, a major loss for Memphis, for hip-hop,” Del said.
Three 6 Mafia’s DJ Paul posted a photo tribute to her on his Instagram.
Her death comes as a surprise, as according to Boo’s former manager, Artemis “Peppa” Williams, she had performed at Railgarten in Memphis less than 24 hours before with rappers 8 Ball and MJG. Williams received the news of her passing from a text he received from DJ Paul while on his way to lunch.
“And while I’m walking in the lobby, I looked at the left, and 8 Ball was sitting at the bar, and he was like, ‘You know, Peppa, have you heard the news? Is it true or not?'” said Williams.
Memphis police say officers responded to a man-down call at 2:18 PM in the 1600 block of Raines Road. A woman was pronounced dead at the scene, and while police have not yet confirmed Mitchell’s death, sources close to the family say that this call involved the rapper.
The Memphis native leaves a lasting musical legacy and has performed with numerous legends, including T.I., OutKast, Gucci Mane, and many more.
“They are truly living legends, as well as Gangsta Boo, so she’s most definitely labeled as the queen of hip-hop from Memphis,” said Williams.