Iconic 80-90's boy band producer suddenly dies aged 55 after a battle with a brief illness

Matt Dike has passed away after a short illness. It was reported that the legendary producer died at his home in Los Angeles

According to Pop Culture, the star was only 55 at the time of his death. He was credited as being a great producer who launched hip-hop to further heights.

Music producer Matt Dike was known for his worked with legendary rap trio the Beastie Boys. Variety reported that he died after a battle with a brief illness.

Dike was a co-founder of Los Angeles hip-hop label Delicious Vinyl. He produced iconic hip-hop songs like Wild Thing and Funky Cold Medina by Tone Loc.

The producer was also responsible for Bust a Move by Young MC. He helped craft the Beastie Boys' sophomore album, Paul's Boutique.

The album was considered by many to be an incredibly influential hip-hop album, although at the time it had flopped. The Roots drummer, Questlove, was one of the people who shared a memorial message of Dike on social media.

‘We didn’t end up making that Jack Drag album with Matt. I did feel though, that I had met someone quite special. I still wonder what kind of record we would’ve made... or what total disaster would’ve ensued.’

John Dragonetti, Pop Culture, March 14, 2018

The star shared that he was upset that he’d never gotten to meet up/chat with Dike. Questlove revealed that he felt Dike’s crowning achievement was as one of the producers for one of the greatest timeless hip hop albums ever.

He shared that Paul’s Boutique simply got better with time and would be 30 years old in 2 years. The star said it had been his dream to ‘nerd out’ and ask Dike and the dust brothers about how they had defied the laws of sampling gravity.

The singer added that the producer had made some of the most groundbreaking work ever. John Dragonetti, a member of Indie rock band The Submarines, also spoke fondly of Dike on social media.

Many fans of Dike's work also took to Twitter to share memorial tweets. Dike is survived by his sister Vikyana, his brother Lane, and a nephew.