Rapper Damon Grison, known professionally as Wacko, has died at the age of 52. He passed away on Friday, August 28. No cause of death has been revealed.
Tributes from fellow artists
No Limit rapper Mia X was among those paying tribute and confirming the sad news, revealing he had been working on new tracks. Taking to Instagram, she shared an image of the star and wrote: "Wacko was so talented. One of those gifted sons with word play and a unique cadence that brought life to every beat he was on."
She continued: "He was sweet every time we spoke, he loved hard, even when he was going through things and trying to get his point across it was easy to understand that many of his emotions came from his passion and pain. You will truly be missed. You had been working on some very special and awesome music, and your talent will never be forgotten. May peace cover your journey as the ancestors receive you. May God cover your family and everyone who loved you in strength, love, and peace. Rest Easy my brother."
Early career and UTP formation
The popular star was raised in the Magnolia Projects on the Uptown side of New Orleans. He got his start in the music business when Juvenile departed Cash Money Records and formed UTP, short for Uptown Project, in 2001.
Wacko was part of the group's original lineup alongside Skip, Corey Cee, Soulja Slim, and Young Buck. However, they were hit with tragedy when Soulja Slim was murdered in 2003. Meanwhile, Young Buck departed to join 50 Cent's G-Unit.
Musical legacy
Juvenile, Wacko, and Skip remained a trio and released UTP's debut album, The Beginning of the End, in 2004, which contained their signature hit, Nolia Clap, which reached No. 31 on the Billboard Hot 100.
He also appeared on Juvenile's 2006 album Reality Check, and in 2007, he and Skip sans Juvenile released UTP's second album, Back Like We Left Something.
Fan tributes
Tributes flooded in for the beloved star as news of his death became public. One user penned on Instagram: "Too talented He was part of what was missing in New Orleans Hip Hop Culture."
Another added: "Damn, I felt like he was ready for his biggest breakthrough. Fly high, Cesar!" A third chimed in: "R.I.P. Remember the Nolia Clap song and music video."
A fourth shared on Facebook: "Rest in peace to a true original, your music will live on and never be forgotten." Meanwhile, a fifth reflected: "Still can't believe what I'm seeing. Fly high cuzzo. Truly unbelievable."
