Sadly we can’t get even one day into 2023 without another rap legend passing away. Today I’m saddened by the news that Lola Chantrelle Mitchell b/k/a Gangsta Boo is gone at only 43 years old. The news was confirmed by TMZ and DJ Paul from Three 6 Mafia. In fact for many rap fans their familiarity with Gangsta Boo starts with the Mafia, as she came up around the Memphis rap pioneers and was prominently featured on many Hypnotize Minds releases, but ultimately left the label after her second solo album “Both Worlds *69.” Before that split her best known hit was the DJ Paul and Juicy J produced “Where Dem Dollas At.”

She went on to establish her own career outside of the Mafia, though her 2014 release “Witch” with La Chat showed she hadn’t forgotten a fellow female from the fold. The same year she found a whole new audience by collaborating with El-P and Killer Mike for the classic “Run the Jewels 2” song “Love Again.” Her presence on the song arguably stole the show and made it clear that the men on the song weren’t running the show. Boo bragged she was the one “who turned that boy into a motherfucking man” and made sure that that her needs were being well served.

From that point on memorable guest appearances became a staple of Lola’s career, working with everybody from Blood Orange to Junglepussy while keeping fans awaiting the next solo or collaborative album to come. Unfortunately if that album releases now it will be posthumously. All we know right now is that she was found dead Sunday afternoon. No cause of death has been determined or announced. On behalf or RapReviews I sent my condolences to all of her friends, fans and family members who are as shocked by this turn of events as I am. Gangsta Boo was only 43 years old. Lola Chantrelle Mitchell is gone in the physical form but will not be forgotten. Rest In Power Queen.