British rapper Ty, who was nominated for the prestigious Mercury music prize, has died after contracting coronavirus, according to a fundraising page set up to support him. Stars including Roots Manuva paid tribute to the 47-year-old Londoner, real name Ben Chijioke, who died on Thursday. Ty released his debut album Awkward in 2001, the first of five. His follow-up, Upward, was nominated for the Mercury in 2004 alongside Amy Winehouse. Roots Manuva, who collaborated with the rapper, tweeted on Thursday: “Rest my Brother. You did good.” DJ Gilles Peterson said Ty “was a huge part in the development of hip hop and spoken word in this country.”
