Former Bad Boy Records Rapper Craig Mack Has Died at 46

Rapper Craig Mack, has died at age 46.

According to the New York Daily News the rapper died of heart failure in his Walterboro, South Carolina home.

Mack was formerly signed to Diddy's Bad Boy Records, and in 1994, released his breakout single, "Flava In Ya Year," which gave the label its first platinum record. The subsequent remix featured Biggie, marking one of his early appearances.

Alvin Toney, who produced Mack's debut album, Project: Funk Da World and his "Get Down Remix" told NY Daily News that Mack had been sick for some time and knew he wasn't going to make it. Toney planned to shoot a documentary on the rapper. In 1997, after leaving Bad Boy, Mack released Operation: Get Down before turning his life over to religion.

“Nobody got to understand his story,” Toney told the paper. “I wanted the world to know the talent he had. It was something I wanted people to enjoy, but it was cut short because he was very religious and wanted to go to church.”

Craig Mack is survived by his wife and two children, both adults.

Biz Markie, Funkmaster Flex, and DJ Scratch are among the rappers and DJs who've mourned his passing.

"May the almighty embrace your soul & lift up your family and friends. it was a pleasure to know you & rock with you. You stepped away from the game & did it your way.. I always respected that," LL Cool J, who collaborated on the "Flava In Ya Ear Remix" with Mack, wrote on Twitter.

You can check out a few tributes below.

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