A member of the legendary So So Def group Dem Franchize Boyz has passed away.
Buddie of Dem Franchize Boyz, the four-person Atlanta group that had a major run in the early 2000s, has died of cancer. On Sunday, So So Def CEO Jermaine Dupri took to Instagram to announce the passing of Buddie, born Gerald Tiller.
“They call me Doctor Doc? I prescribe what a ni**a need,” JD wrote in a caption, quoting Buddie’s verse from Dem Franchize Boyz’ popular hit “Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It.” “#ripbuddy may your soul rest easy #demfranchiseboyz. #f**kcancer”
The official Dem Franchize Boyz Instagram page also announced the rapper’s death Sunday, writing “R.I.P Buddie you Will be Missed.” Other members of the group and So So Def label mates expressed their condolences Sunday including Parlae and Da Brat.
Dem Franchize Boyz dropped their first single “White Tee” in 2004 before Jermaine Dupri signed the group to So So Def records the next year. They followed up the classic single with “I Think They Like Me,” and a remix that topped the Billboard charts. The groups’ hit song “Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It,” and dance craze dropped in 2006 off of their second album On Top of Our Game. The ATL quartet only went on to drop one more album in 2008, followed by mixtapes and EPs scattered over the last decade.
It was unclear how long Buddie was battling cancer. Last year, Dem Franchize Boyz was set for a reunion for Jermaine Dupri’s So So Def 25th anniversary tour. However, the tour was later cancelled.
