Longtime rapper and collaborator who was sometimes called "the Queen of Memphis" and "Lady Boo", but most often she was widely known as "Gangsta Boo," has passed away.
On the first day of 2023, Gangsta Boo, born Lola Mitchell, 43, was found dead in a friend's home in Memphis, according to The Commercial Appeal news partner WMC Action News 5.
During her career, she collaborated with many big name artists including Eminem, Gucci Mane, Run The Jewels, Lil Jon, E-40, TI and OutKast.
Gangsta Boo's career officially started in the '90s, when she linked up with Paul, Juicy J and other founding members of the rap group -- Three 6 Mafia (T6M), which included the likes of Lord Infamous, Crunchy Black, Koopsta Knicca and more. Gangsta Boo was one of the only female rappers with the crew, but she held her own and paved her own lane for years as part of T6M.
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In addition to her own solo albums that she was cranking out at the time -- to much acclaim -- Gangsta was also featured on Three 6 Mafia's first 5 studio albums, including their debut record in '95's "Mystic Stylez". She also appeared on other notable projects like 'Chapter 1,' 'When the Smoke Clears' and even the 'Choices' album that served as the soundtrack to the movie.
Mitchell's passing comes just one year after Memphis grieved the killing of Castilia Heights-born Adolph Thornton Jr., best known as Young Dolph.
While the official cause of death has yet to be determined, sources connected to Gangsta Boo told TMZ that the rapper's death appears to be drug-related. Reports say that Gangsta was with her brother last night at a local concert in Memphis, and that her sibling started to overdose sometime in the night, requiring hospitalization.
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While he ended up being okay, our sources say that people familiar with Gangsta Boo's death scene insist narcotics were found on her person and that a fentanyl-laced substance is believed to be at play. Some say that the police will be launching an official investigation.
Just weeks before her death, she said she was getting ready to release her fourth solo album, The BooPrint, later in 2023. She also filmed an unreleased video titled"Imma Mack", with producer Drumma Boy, who has paid tribute, and on New Year's Eve shared a video of her accomplishments in 2022.
"Gangsta Boo was like a sister to me and told the world about me the way my blood brother did," Drumma Boy said in a statement.
"We both are Leos and share the same energy towards unity and seeing people happy! This is just such a devastating loss cuz she always wanted to see others win! RIP to the Queen Of Memphis, forever my sister."
After hearing about her passing, celebrities continued pouring in their condolences on social media.
Legendary hip-hop artist Missy Elliott reacted to Gangsta Boo’s death with a picture post and said, “Rest Peacefully.”
In an Instagram story, rapper Drake posted a throwback picture of Gangsta Boo and said, “Rest in heaven Gangsta Boo”:
Fellow Memphis rapper GloRilla called Gangsta Boo the “Queen of Memphis”:
