The Buffalo woman featured on the cover of Griselda’s album WWCD has died, prompting an outbreak of #RIPClaire tweets that have caused confusion among users. According to Syracuse.com, Westside Gunn offered a heartfelt salute to Claire Melendez, aka “Claire Mel,” on Twitter, calling the well-known homeless hometown figure “My fav Buffalo kid. You’ll be Loved Forever.” Such was the group’s appreciation for the woman, they even named their 2022 tour after her.
He included the hashtag #RIPClaire, which was picked up by Griselda fans and trended on Twitter, prompting some users to express their confusion.
My fav Buffalo Kid 💔 👼 You’ll be Loved Forever #IMMORTAL #RIPCLAIRE pic.twitter.com/Q5J0OhhJZq
— WESTSIDEGUNN (@WESTSIDEGUNN) May 24, 2023
One Cosby Show fan seemed to think that the tweets were referring to Phylicia Rashad, who played the family’s matriarch, Claire Huxtable.
Twitter: RIP Claire
Us rushing to check & make sure Claire Huxtable is okay: pic.twitter.com/HgomOUiE0k
— Harold James (@Harold_JamesNY) May 24, 2023
Twitter: "RIP Claire"
Me after verifying Claire Huxtable is okay: pic.twitter.com/1O1amCTpH8
— ☘️⚜️ Dr. Daiquiri 🥤 (@YoFavCuz) May 24, 2023
Others appeared to believe that the tweets might refer to actress Claire Danes, who as of this writing appears to be fine.
Twitter: RIP Claire
Me checking to make sure Claire Danes is okay: pic.twitter.com/f8h15ELvEi
— Neo Jane (@Neo_Jane8) May 24, 2023
Twitter: "RIP Claire"
Me checking to make sure Claire Danes is okay: pic.twitter.com/wfNniz98Zh
— journalist jawn (@dirtywhiteups) May 24, 2023
Tragically, still others associated the tweets with a 95-year-old Australian woman, Clare Nowland, who was tased to death by police.
However, Buffalo residents who knew the actual Melendez have been sharing some of their favorite memories, calling her “a Buffalo icon.” “Will never forget when all 4 wheels got stolen off of my car and I had to take the bus to work, Claire finessed 5 dollars out of me while I was waiting for the bus over on Elmwood then she cussed me out after I gave it to her,” remembered one Buffalo native.
RIP Claire. Will never forget when all 4 wheels got stolen off of my car and I had to take the bus to work, Claire finessed 5 dollars out of me while I was waiting for the bus over on Elmwood then she cussed me out after I gave it to her
— Dr. Raven the Science Maven (@ravenscimaven) May 24, 2023
Rip Claire. We went for a cruise on the west side, and I was a little nervous when people I didn’t know were approaching the car. She said, “Don’t worry, I will protect you.” ❤️🥰 Rest Well. #WestsideClaire #Buffalo pic.twitter.com/XFa2QxXYZ0
— Tammy Shaw #Loveeternal ❤️ (@Tammy_Shaw) May 24, 2023
https://twitter.com/FanceeEnergy/status/1661363547857641473
Long Live a Buffalo legend. It’s not often that a person can be an “institution” in a city. RIP Claire pic.twitter.com/Npe1mTEhVo
— Eyes Everywhere (@EyesEverywhere) May 24, 2023
Claire was Buffalo’s favorite 😍 didn’t matter if you might have been annoyed by her or you enjoyed her but she was everything. A little piece of normalcy when it’s crazy in Buffalo. I hope she finally get her peace. RIP Mami 🥺💔 pic.twitter.com/b3ffWgFjn4
— XxVintage-Vibes (@XxvintageVibes) May 24, 2023
Please let Twitter live to see better days because I love when a trending "RIP Claire" leads me to learn more about a unique human being I otherwise wouldn't have. https://t.co/JZMh9mJ0Xg
— Rachel Moore Cowbell 🎤 (@RachelHasTheMic) May 24, 2023
As for Westside Gunn and the rest of his Griselda compatriots, they continue to truck along despite a few setbacks, although Gunn does have plans to retire at the end of 2023.
