Saafir, the iconic Oakland rapper known for his distinctive raspy voice and innovative blending of avant-garde jazz with hip-hop, has sadly passed away at the age of 54. The news was confirmed by family members through a heartfelt joint Instagram post featuring rapper Xzibit and Saafir's son, who shared the poignant details surrounding his final moments on Tuesday morning.

Surrounded by family and friends, Saafir, born Reggie Gibson, took his last breath at 8:45 a.m. The message from his loved ones read, "We surrounded him and let him know how much we loved him. He can rest now." While the cause of his death hasn’t been disclosed, it's known that Saafir struggled with complications from spinal surgery amongst other health challenges for many years.

Saafir first rose to prominence in the early 1990s as a member of the hip-hop crew Hobo Junction. His unique style and lyricism quickly set him apart within the Oakland music scene. Notably, he was once roommates with the legendary Tupac Shakur and collaborated with the influential group Digital Underground. His relationship with Tupac eventually led him to act in the 1993 film Menace II Society, directed by Albert and Allen Hughes.

In 1994, a legendary freestyle battle between Hobo Junction and the East Bay collective Hieroglyphics garnered Saafir major recognition, ultimately leading to a record deal with Quincy Jones. This collaboration birthed The Boxcar Sessions, an album celebrated for its intricate fusion of jazz and street narratives reflective of crack-era Oakland. To commemorate its release, Saafir held a free concert outside Leopold’s Records — a symbolic nod to the roots of Hobo Junction.

Despite his significant debut, Saafir’s discography remained limited, with only a handful of albums following. His absence from the music scene sparked discussions among fans and historians alike. In 2013, hip-hop legend Shock G of Digital Underground detailed Saafir's struggles in a viral blog post, which Saafir later addressed, explaining the myriad of challenges he faced in navigating healthcare systems and personal obstacles.

In recent years, Saafir used a wheelchair post-surgery and made few public appearances. However, he often participated in Dream Day, an annual tribute to his late friend and graffiti artist Mike “Dream” Francisco. One of his last notable appearances was in 2014, where he performed his hit "Light Sleeper" in San Francisco, sharing the stage with his former rival, Casual of Hieroglyphics.

The dynamic between Saafir and Casual is a testament to the respect they held for one another, despite their on-stage rivalry. In a touching moment captured in a short documentary, Saafir commended Casual, saying, "You really brought out the best. You made me wanna be a monster, and I respect it."

Saafir leaves behind a legacy of creativity, resilience, and influence in the hip-hop community. He is survived by his son, the rapper known as Lil Saafir, and his brother. As the music world mourns this monumental loss, no memorial services have been announced as of yet. Saafir's impact continues to reverberate through the sounds he pioneered and the artists he inspired.