Craig Mack Was Working On A New Album Before His Sudden Death, Says Erick Sermon

Craig Mack will be eulogized today for his work as the first signee to Puff Daddy’s Bad Boy Records during the ’90s, in light of his sudden death at age 46. But Erick Sermon, the producer-rapper best known as one half of EPMD, says that Mack had far more in him than “Flava In Ya Ear.” As hip-hop veterans like Funkmaster Flex and Biz Markie confirmed Mack’s death, Sermon tweeted, “I’m devastated over the news of Craig Mack.. We just finishing up his new album.. smh.. Rest in Power Craig…”

Sermon should know: In January he featured Mack alongside Mr. Cheeks and Method Man in “Come Thru,” off his Kickstarter-funded album Go. “Getting everyone to collaborate is like friends getting back together,” Sermon said to Rolling Stone. “Everyone who I’m on the record with I’m already friends with, so it’s like a normal get-together.”

Sermon wasn’t even the only hip-hop luminary to have recently reached out to Mack, whose last album, 2017’s The Mack World Sessions, was his first in over 20 years. Easy Mo Bee, the only producer who has worked with both Tupac and Notorious B.I.G., says that he sent Mack “5 or 6 tracks” after some coercing, though he never heard back. “I made a follow-up call and still no Craig. Maybe he knew he was about to die but just didn’t want to tell me,” Mo Bee says. See the rest of his Instagram tribute posts below.

#RIP #CraigMack 1971-2018 The man who rapped “Whatcha gonna do When God Comes?” has unfortunately passed away yesterday on March 12, 2018 Several reliable sources have contacted me saying that it is true that #CraigMack passed away yesterday, March 12. I’ll tell you what’s so disappointing about his passing away… about 3 months ago or so, I finally got ahold of him and we talked on the phone for over an hour. Most of the call was me trying to persuade him to start making music again. He felt like after giving his life to God that maybe he shouldn’t rap again. I begged him and explained to him that he had every right to still praise God through his music. I told him that as long as it was genuine and not a blasphemous gimmick, he could still reach souls and spread his message. Finally, he gave in and said “Ok Mo Bee, i’ll do it.” I sent him 5 or 6 tracks and then I never heard back from him. I made a follow-up call and still no Craig. Maybe he knew he was about to die but just didn’t want to tell me. One of the reliable sources I spoke to not long ago tonight told me that he had told somebody “I’m not gonna be here much longer.” God rest his soul. Now I’m thinking about the record we recorded together called “When God Comes.” He wanted to be ready. That was always on his mind. I pray that today he has finally made it into the Kingdom Of Heaven because that’s all that mattered to him. I’m so in denial. Can’t believe he’s gone. Bless you, my brother. No more suffering. No more pain. The Lord has called you home and finally said well done. EMB

A post shared by Easy Mo Bee? (@therealeasymobee) on Mar 12, 2018 at 11:38pm PDT

He never called me back. He knew why. But I didn’t. I could feel something wasn’t right.

A post shared by Easy Mo Bee? (@therealeasymobee) on Mar 13, 2018 at 2:25am PDT