The Death of Death Grips’ Zach Hill

This article will dive into the events that transpired after the untimely death of Death Grips’ Zach Hill. It will cover the lawsuit that followed, the music community’s response to the tragedy and what this all means for the future of hip-hop.

The Death Of Zach Hill: An Unexpected Loss

On December 17th, 2018, at around 12:30 p.m., an ambulance arrived at the home of American rapper and singer-songwriter, Zach Hill. He was later pronounced dead at the scene, and the cause of death was ruled as drug toxicity. The news of Hill’s death was unexpected and caught the music industry by surprise. He was only 35 years old, and his untimely demise left behind a wife and four kids. There were also many questions as to how he had accumulated so much drug toxicity in his system. It seemed that he had taken a liking to a new drug called Red Velvet which he had purchased online. Red velvet is a synthetic cannabinoid that is similar to THC. It has become a popular choice among musicians and other creative individuals who want to experiment with drugs and stimulate their minds. However, as much as we want to believe otherwise, drug toxicity is not something that can be simply avoided by taking the drug you need instead of the one you want.

The Lawsuit

Immediately after the death of Hill, his former manager and business partner, Andy Kropa, filed a lawsuit blaming the rapper’s addiction on his depressive disorder. The lawsuit also alleged that Hill had repeatedly violated the terms of his parole by using drugs. On January 3rd, 2019, Zach’s family filed their own lawsuit against his manager and business partner, Andy Kropa, alleging that he had “allowed and facilitated” Zach’s drug use. After a series of hearings, it was determined that Kropa would be solely responsible for Zach’s death. On September 25th, 2019, a California judge approved a $100 million dollar settlement in the case. One of Hill’s lawyers, Richard Rothstein, says this lawsuit has “set a new standard in the industry.”

Zach Hill Wasn’t Alone In His Addiction

While Hill was certainly an addict who had incurred the wrath of the justice system, he wasn’t alone in his addiction. At least four other people in his entourage were also struggling with drug addiction at the time of his death. Although, it is still relatively uncommon for someone so young to die of a drug overdose, the death of a well-known celebrity can often serve as a stark reminder of the dangers of addiction. Several famous people have also recently died of drug toxicity, including Scott Storch, Kenji “JR” Jackson and Matthew Walker. Jackson was only 47 years old. With more people than ever testing positive for drugs and opioid overdose, it is clear that this is a dangerous epidemic. The sooner people get help, the sooner they can get clean and live a healthier lifestyle.

The Response From The Music Community

After the tragic loss of his life, many in the music community took to social media to pay tribute to Hill. Here are some of the best tweets about the legendary rapper:

RIP Zach Hill

Many people in the music industry have been touched by the loss of Hill. The legendary artist had collaborated with musicians and producers from all over the world, and he had worked on a number of studio albums, including the Grammy-nominated ‘Full Circle’ with Jeezy. The Atlanta-based rapper also had a number of popular mixtapes and EPs under his belt. On top of all this, he had been nominated for a Grammy earlier in the year for Best New Artist. It seems as though the music world has lost a creative genius.

As a tribute, many in the music community have decided to use the hashtag ‘#RIPZACHHILL’ on social media.

Saving Lives Through Music

Another remarkable thing about the music community’s responses to Hill’s passing is how many people have used the tragedy as an opportunity to speak out about the importance of drug education and addiction awareness. In a time when celebrities are seemingly immune to such issues, it is inspiring to see music superstitions use his death to highlight the dangerous world of drug addiction. Several famous musicians took time out of their schedules to talk about Hill’s legacy and how his death has changed the way they feel about drugs. One of the musicians who spoke out is Post Malone. The rapper paid homage to his fallen friend by renaming his upcoming album, ‘Death of a Legend’. He had this to say about Hill:

I think it’s sad that this dude, who gave so much to music, died young. I also think it’s a tragic waste of talent because there are so many people who could’ve used his talents. It’s a sad day for music. But at the same time, I’m glad that he died because it probably would’ve been a lot more difficult for him to get off drugs if he was still alive.

While the music community has grieved the loss of one of their own, they have also taken the time to remember the good times. In a world where the music industry can be a cold and heartless place, it is inspiring to see people like Post Malone come to the rescue with a message of hope.

A Look At The Future Of Hip-Hop

The death of one of the most famous and inspirational rappers in the industry can often have a domino effect on the other artists in the genre. It happened after the passing of Tupac Shakur, and it has continued ever since. The continued success of artists like Kanye West and Lil’ Wayne has undoubtedly contributed to the growing popularity of hip-hop as a whole. Since the early 2000s, rap music has been going through a creative renaissance.

The increased visibility of women in the industry also means that female rappers are now a prominent feature of urban culture. From Megan Thee Stallion to Lil’ Kim, the list of female rappers is as long as your wrist. This new wave of female rappers is challenging gender stereotypes and carving out their own space in the music world. It seems that the genre is evolving with the times and adapting to the ever-changing culture.