Grand Daddy I.U. a member of early rap label Cold Chillin’ Records, has died at the age of 54 In the late 80s.

GDIU was signed on Cold Chillin’ along with Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap, Roxanne Shanté and Biz Markie, the latter rap legend having a huge part in shaping his career pushing his demo to the label and even producing every song on GDIU’s first album: 1990’s “Smooth Assassin.”

The album spawned a pair of Billboard rap hits in the singles “Something New” and “Sugar Free” helping solidify the genre on the charts long before the days of streaming and Super Bowl-sized endorsements for rappers.