'Whoa!' Rapper Black Rob Dead at 51 after Health Issues — Diddy, Other Celebs Pay Tribute

Renowned rapper Black Rob, best known for the hit song "Whoa!," recently passed away after a battle with multiple health issues. He was 51.

The hip-hop music scene will never be the same again after Robert Ross, known as Black Rob onstage, passed away on April 17 at Atlanta's Grady Memorial Hospital.

Black Rob, 51, reportedly suffered cardiac arrest in addition to a history of kidney failure and diabetes. The acclaimed rapper also suffered a stroke multiple times in the past.

Before he died, the New York native faced homelessness while dealing with several health issues. He previously shared that he had been homeless for five years.

Mark Curry, Black Rob's fellow rapper, and producer Mike Zombie came to his aid. The two of them set up a GoFundMe site to pay for hospital charges and to help him find a home.

Sean "Diddy" Combs also reached out to him and provided him assistance. Black Rob and Curry were Diddy's talents under his former record label, Bad Boy Records, which he founded in 1993.

Although he was able to help before he died, Black Rob's passing broke Diddy's heart. The music mogul posted on Instagram a picture of him embracing the "Life Story" hitmaker. He wrote:

"You have made millions of people all over the world feel good and dance!"

Black Rob's death came a week after another iconic rapper, DMX, passed away due to an alleged drug overdose. The legendary rapper, whose real name is Earl Simmons, died on April 9.

Prior to his death and despite the pain he was feeling while lying on a hospital bed, Black Rob managed to express his grief over the death of DMX and pay his respects to the late rapper through a video.

Black Rob's death has shaken the entertainment industry. Several veteran hip-hop artists and celebrities who were close to the late rapper are all stunned in sorrow.

Acclaimed actor and rapper LL Cool J poured his sentiments on Twitter. He described him as a "storyteller" who was a gentleman each time he saw him.

Multi-instrumentalist Mario Winans conveyed his broken-heartedness on Instagram alongside Black Rob's picture. Comedian Eddie Griffin took to Twitter as well to mourn his death, saying, "another one taken too soon."

Black Rob and DMX are just two of many notable public figures who died this year. Before them, pioneering Black actress and activist Cicely Tyson passed away in her sleep on January 28.