Singer Rick James Found Dead in Los Angeles
News outlets reported Friday afternoon that R&B/funk star Rick James, famed for his 1981 hit "Super Freak," was found dead at his Los Angeles home; he was 56. James was discovered by his caretaker and apparently died of natural causes. Details were unavailable as the news broke, and Los Angeles police said that an investigation was ongoing. A hitmaker in the early 80s, James post-hit life was marked by turbulence and a crack cocaine addiction that ultimately resulted in two assault convictions in the early 90s and a sentencing of more than two years in state prison. Attempting a comeback, James came out with a new album in 1997, only to be felled by a stroke later that year while performing in Denver; he also underwent hip replacement surgery in 1998. Most recently, James was the recipient of a special ASCAP award at the Rhythm & Soul Music Awards in Beverly Hills.
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