New Orleans bounce rapper Jerome “5th Ward Weebie” Cosey has passed away Thursday (Jan. 9). He was 42.

According to nola.com, Weebie had reportedly undergone surgery for a ruptured artery and died of related complications while he was still hospitalized.

“It broke my heart to learn that Jerome Cosey — our 5th Ward Weebie — has passed,” Mayor LaToya Cantrell said in a statement via Twitter. “Let me find out you didn’t know who he was. He was an iconic personality, a New Orleans legend, and a beloved friend. He was the Bounce King, who showed us how to move, how to love, and how to bring passion and humanity to everything we do. New Orleans has lost a cornerstone of our culture. Our city will not be the same without his voice and his spirit. May he rest in God’s perfect peace.”

His debut album, Show the World, came out in 1999 on Mobo Records. In 2005, he released “Fuck Katrina,” a song meant to bring together those affected by the hurricane. The song was used in an episode of the HBO series “Treme.”

He collaborated with Lil Wayne on the single “Bend It Ova.” Lil Wayne’s manager, Cortez Bryant, recommended that Drake should work with Weebie. He enlisted his help on the 2018 hit, “Nice For What.” The song also featured Big Freedia and a sample from the New Orleans rap group, Big Tymer’s. The song went on to reach #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Drake performed at the Smoothie King Center in September 2018, and brought Weebie out as a special guest. The next year, he joined DJ Mannie Fresh on stage at the same arena for a performance during halftime of the New Orleans Pelicans’ home opener.

We would like to send our condolences to the friends and family of 5th Ward Weebie.