Underground Rapper Ka, A Former Firefighter, Dead At 52

Rapper Ka / X

Ka, one of Brooklyn’s most iconic underground MCs, has passed away at the age of 52. The rapper is also a former New York City firefighter.

Known for his prolific rhyming still and lyrical prowess, Ka, whose real name is Kaseem Ryan, shot to stardom in the early 2000s with a slew of hits and some memorable performances in the Brooklyn area. Fans often praised the rapper for his cutting-edge lyrical content and delivery, making him one of the local rappers who producers gravitate towards. Some fans and his peers even referred to him as a local hero on the mic.

Ka’s family family confirmed his death via a statement on Instagram on Monday (October 14). “We kindly ask that the privacy of Ka’s family and loved ones be respected as they grieve this incalculable loss,” the statement reads.

The statement continues, “Born and raised in Brownsville, Brooklyn, Ka lived a life of service—to his city, to his community, and to his music. As a 20-year veteran of the New York City Fire Department, he put his life on the line to protect his fellow citizens. Ka rose to the rank of FDNY captain and was a first responder on September 11, 2001 during the attacks on the World Trade Center. He leaves an extraordinary legacy as a recording artist, including eleven remarkable self-released solo albums.”

“He leaves an extraordinary Legacy as a recording artist, including eleven remarkable self-released solo albums,” the statement said. “Ka is survived by his wife, mother and sister. We kindly ask that the privacy of Ka’s family and loved ones be respected as they grieve this incalculable loss.”

Ka’s journey in hip hop can be traced back to the mid-1990s when he recorded with Natural Elements. In the years following that, the rapper would diligently work on his craft with his career steadily growing in popularity. Following a string of hits and two albums in the 2000s, his big break would come in 2012 when he released the album, Grief Pedigree and a follow-up LP in 2013 called The Night’s Gambit, both of which he released independently. The success of those projects would inspire Ka to get laser-focused on his craft and later released Honor Killed the Samurai in dropped in 2016.

Ka released four solo albums, Descendants of Cain (2020), A Martyr’s Reward (2021), and Languish Arts and Woeful Studies released in 2022, before his final album, The Thief Next to Jesus, this August this year.

Ka’s cause of death was not shared in the statement released by his family.