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Double K, who served as one-half of the rap duo People Under The Stairs, has passed away. He was 43.
In the early hours of Sunday morning (Jan. 31), tributes to the fallen artist began pouring in on Twitter. As of this report, the cause of death had not been revealed. Nonetheless, fans and fellow artists alike proceeded to honor the late rapper.
“Not Double K,” rapper Psalm One said of the late emcee. “What a dope persona and artist. One of my first big national tours PUTS was gracious enough to take me out. Double K was a fucking west coast pioneer. This is tough. Prayers up for K, his family, and Thes. REST IN POWER DOUBLE K.”
Not Double K. What a dope persona and artist. One of my first big national tours PUTS was gracious enough to take me out. Double K was a fucking west coast pioneer. This is tough. Prayers up for K, his family, and Thes.
— PSALM ONE (@PsalmOne) January 31, 2021
REST IN POWER DOUBLE K pic.twitter.com/nPXjRM2xkC
Double K, born Michael Turner, connected with his rapping partner Christopher Portugal a.k.a Thes One to form People Under the Stairs in 1997. The L.A. duo release their debut album The Next Step in 1998. They went on to put out 15 albums including three compilations of material that didn’t make their studio albums. The duo released their final album Sincerely, The P in 2019 before formally disbanding shortly afterward.
During their tenure, People Under the Stairs were vital to the underground scene on the West Coast. However, the group did receive some mainstream love until the end of their career. Thanks to Double K’s time as a member of the Funk Mob, the duo got to work with the legendary George Clinton. They also worked with other hip hop veterans like Jurassic 5 and Hieroglyphics.
People Under the Stairs also managed to inspire other well-known artists like the late Mac Miller. In 2011, Mac dropped his mixtape I Love Life, Thank You which includes the song “People Under the Stairs, which pays homage to the duo. Check out more tributes to the late Double K below.
Double K of People Under the Stairs passed away this evening. In addition to rapping, he co-produced the group's music with groupmate Thes One which was extremely influential in the West Coast's underground scene.
— Ruben | Check the Rhyme (@checktherhyme1) January 31, 2021
RIP Double K. pic.twitter.com/qFKMqLyXdj
Rest In Beats, DJ Double K of @puts (People Under the Stairs). A phenomenal hip-hop artist who delivered some of the best rap music with Thes One. Their third LP, 2002's 'O.S.T.,' is arguably their best album. But overall, their discography was pure beats, rhymes and life. ️ https://t.co/Rba1USTu4O
— Trenton Quarantino (@BeatsandRants) January 31, 2021
Damn.... RIP Double K. Never knew the PUTS guys personally, but it felt like there was a concurrent thing happening on the west coast to the Jux/Fondle em/RSE thing, and they were in the middle of it. Condolences to Thes One.
— RJ (@rjd2) January 31, 2021
RIP 2 Mid-City└A’s own Double K
— DāM-FunK (@DaMFunK) January 31, 2021
(Michael Turner) of @PUTS. Respect.
Condolences 2 his family, Thes One,
all their listeners & peers at this time.
#PeopleUnderTheStairs
• Bandcamp:https://t.co/51TGy2yVLM
• Discogs:https://t.co/LJLCoeOLht pic.twitter.com/G0Zph3tiWr
Oh no. Rest in peace to Double K of People Under The Stairs, who I worked with on my very first piece of music production “Quid Control”. A great MC and a great guy. pic.twitter.com/TegatDCVoN
— DJ Yoda (@DJYodaUK) January 31, 2021
RIP Double K. Was just listening to People Under the Stairs last night.
— ItsTheReal (@itsthereal) January 31, 2021
“Just let the music take over my soul, body and mind
— ‘Muhammad' RLee (@_apocaloptimist) January 31, 2021
To kick back relax one time and you goin find
I try to keep it stress free take everyday at a time
Make sure the families in place and let the music unwind”
RIP Double K ❤️ ❤️ pic.twitter.com/4PlRT67GSY
