Annie Walton Doyle
Legendary rapper and Love & Hip-Hop star Raul Conde has tragically died aged 52.
Since the shocking news broke, celebrities, friends and fans of the rapper have been posting their tributes to the US star.
His death at such a young age has come as a huge shock to many and the hip-hop community has come together to share their grief for the musician.
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Conde had been a member of the New York-based hip-hop collective, Terror Squad, since 1998.
Fellow members of the collective including Fat Joe have led the tributes to their collaborator and friend.
Other big names on the music scene including DJ Khaled, Timbaland and Love & Hip-Hop: New York’s Erica Mena have also shared emotional messages to Conde.
Fat Joe took to Instagram to share a touching tribute alongside a selection of throwback pictures with his friend.
“My Day 1 how can a man love another man more than your own biological family. You are 1 of 1 the most loyal EVER,” he writes.
“We did it since kids we did everything we dreamed of I love you with every fibre in my body.
“I thought we’d get old together and look back at the times we had and laugh.
“No one understood me like you, you were God sent my brother I wish I could get one last talk with you.
“My Condolences to the CONDE FAMILY ty for letting us have RAUL for all these years I can tell you not a moment in my life I won’t love and cherish every minute and every second I’ve had with RAUL.”
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Fat Joe actually credited Conde with saving his life back in 2007 following an altercation with a local gangster in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
DJ Khaled also shared a selection of images of himself and Conde, writing: “Love you my brother, you are very rare you the definition of a true brother friend.
“You always wanted to see everyone win.
“RAUL I LOVE YOU BROTHER! GOD BLESS. WE GOING TO MISS YOU.”
Love & Hip-Hop: New York’s Erica Mena, who shares a son with Conde, also shared her emotional message.
“My son officially has a broken heart. LIFE IS SO SHORT. PLEASE LOVE YOUR PEOPLE,” she wrote on her Instagram stories.
Mena and Conde had an on-and-off relationship for over ten years, with their son King Javien Conde being born in 2007 when Mena was just 19 years old.
The pair had a tumultuous breakup but appeared to be back on good terms at the time of Conde’s death.
In 2014, the pair shared an image of themselves with their son at a Miami Heat game, alongside the caption: “The war is over.”
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Rapper French Montana added to the tributes, saying: “Crazy! I love that guy hold your head crack.”
While Timbaland shared a picture writing: “Rest easy king,” and DJ Nasty penned: “Legends Never Die!”
Conde was best known for his music video direction and production.
His most famous work was on Fat Joe’s breakout hit ‘Lean Back’ as well as for the song ‘Take Me Home.’
Conde also directed the video for ‘MDMA’ and the Lupe Fiasco hit ‘Cupcakin’.
Alongside his musical successes, Conde was behind a popular tequila brand that was featured by Scott Disick on Keeping Up with the Kardashians.
The musician was based in Miami at the time of his passing.
His cause of death has been reported as a heart attack, as per The Sun.
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