Rich Nichols, the legendary manager and producer behind Hip-Hop/Funk band The Roots, has died after a long battle with leukemia.
He was 55 years old.
Billboard reports:
Nichols, who has been hospitalized in his native Philadelphia for several months, was reportedly taken off life support last night, but was still alive this morning — despite a series of tweets from artists close to the Roots, including Talib Kweli, Jill Scott and Phonte, claiming he had already passed away and offering condolences.
Nichols had managed the Roots since the early ’90s, steering them on an unlikely trajectory from Philly street buskers, to heavy-touring hip-hop favorites, to the house band for America’s premiere late night show. He is also credited as producer, executive producer, mixer and A&R on several Roots albums and projects by the many artists the acclaimed band has collaborated with, including Jay-Z, Al Green, Common, Jill Scott and Erykah Badu.
The Roots crew released the following statement:
The Roots Family are devastated to announce the passing of Richard Nichols, the band’s longtime manager, after a long battle with leukemia. Nichols, 55, a Philadelphia native, managed the band from its inception in 1992, and was instrumental in every aspect of The Roots’ creative, cultural, and professional life over the past two decades. Nichols is survived by his wife, Mercedes Martinez, his sons Amiri Nichols and Rakim Nichols, his sisters Rochelle Nichols-Solomon, Rebecca Dennis, his brothers Russell Nichols and Reginald Nichols, and the many individuals and artists he mentored in his lifetime.
Twitter Reacts To Rich Nichols’ Death
Peace to the spiritual memory of the brilliant, beautiful & amazing brother Rich Nichols. gone but not forgotten. philly.com/philly/blogs/e…—
Bakari Kitwana (@therealbakari) July 18, 2014
We lost a genius today. Every grateful for Rich Nichols.—
dream hampton (@dreamhampton) July 18, 2014
RIP #RichNichols #theroots 🙏 ( via @okayplayer) instagram.com/p/qkmJvzrXoC/—
Estelle (@EstelleDarlings) July 18, 2014
A long respect salute to Rich Nichols of The Roots ….Rest In Beats and peace @questlove—
Chuck D (@MrChuckD) July 17, 2014
Rest in Peace to Rich Nichols.—
Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) July 17, 2014
The heart is heavy at learning that Rich Nichols, The Roots longtime manager, has passed away. One of the… tmblr.co/Z_z04x1Lk93l4—
Bäé & Nephew (@Carnegro) July 17, 2014
Rest in peace to one of the greatest men I’ve ever met, Rich Nichols—
Talib Kweli Greene (@TalibKweli) July 17, 2014
RIP to my man Rich Nichols. The lessons he taught me both in and out of the studio were priceless. Rest easy, good brother.—
Phonte (@phontigallo) July 17, 2014
Enduring respect for a brilliant, extraordinary MAN, Rich Nichols. Peace is yours.—
⭐Jill Scott⭐ (@missjillscott) July 17, 2014
Rich Nichols: Manager, Producer Behind ‘The Roots’ Dies At 55 [VIDEO] was originally published on ionenewsone.staging.go.ione.nyc