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Some of Hip-Hop's biggest names are mourning the loss of beloved producer Bob Power.
On Monday night, March 2, Okayplayer announced that Bob Power, an iconic engineer and producer who's worked with Hip-Hop & R&B legends like A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, D'Angelo and more, passed away at 74. A cause of death was not confirmed. Soon after his passing was announced, numerous artists took to social media to mourn him. Erykah Badu, who worked with Bob Power on her debut album Baduizm, called Power her "mentor" and recognized his legacy in the music industry.
"What a great loss for the music community today," she wrote on Instagram. "The great engineer, producer , mentor and friend @bobpower has travled on. I / we appreciate you. You taught me soo much. Baduizm is thee most bass heavy singing album in history. You mixed like a TRIBE @atribecalledquest album !🙏🏾😚 I’m listening tonight in your honor. I feel this joint in my chessss!!! Love and easy breaths to your loved ones ! Our community will forever Say your name !!!! Safe journey !!! Rest in BEATS."
After studying music theory, classical composition and conducting at colleges in Michigan and California, Bob Power crafted music for TV shows and advertisements before he moved to New York City in the 1980s. It was there that he connected with iconic rap groups like A Tribe Called Quest, Black Sheep, De La Soul, and Jungle Brothers. He became well-known as an engineer on A Tribe Called Quest's sophomore album The Low End Theory in 1991. He also produced music for The Roots, Common, and Erykah Badu, with whom he scored his first No. 1 record, "On & On." Fellow producers like DJ PREMIER also paid homage to Bob Power.
"R.I.P. to one of the iLLest Engineers of all time...Mr. BOB POWER," Preemo wrote. "Thank you for your various pointers in recording from D'angelo to ATCQ'S Low End Theory, Erykah Badu's Baduizm and so on! 🫡🙏🏾🕊️"
Rest in power, Bob. See more dedications to the late Bob Power below.