News of December 6, 2016
Big Syke, Tupac's Companion, Dies at 48
On December 5, 2016, Big Syke died at 48 in Hawthorne. The rapper accompanied Tupac since 1992 and was heard on songs like "All Eyez on Me".
On Monday evening, December 5, 2016, Big Syke was found dead at his home in Hawthorne, California. The rapper, who accompanied Tupac for years, died at 48. The Los Angeles County coroner’s office confirmed the death to Billboard; there were no signs of foul play. According to TMZ, natural causes are suspected, while an autopsy was still pending. Vibe, The Source, and AllHipHop also reported.
From Inglewood to “All Eyez on Me”
Syke, whose legal name was Tyruss Himes, met Tupac in 1992. The rapper from Inglewood was a member of the group Evil Mind Gangstas, formed in 1990, and released solo albums, including Be Yo’ Self (1996), Big Syke Daddy (2001), and Big Syke (2002). He was heard on several well-known tracks, most notably “Picture Me Rollin’”, “Check Out Time”, and “All Eyez on Me”.
Syke belonged to Tupac’s inner circle (more under Friends). Following the report on Hussein Fatal from the previous year, this circle loses another trusted companion.