We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Kaseem Ryan (1972-2024), the rapper and producer known as Ka, who died unexpectedly in New York City on Oct. 12, at the age of 52. Born and raised in Brownsville, Brooklyn, Ka lived a life of service - to his city, to his community, and to his music.
As a 20-year veteran of the New York City Fire Department, he put his life on the line to protect his fellow citizens. Ka rose to the rank of FDNY captain and was a first responder on September 11, 2001 during the attacks on the World Trade Center.
Ka emerged in the underground New York rap scene in 1993 as part of hip-hop group Natural Elements before forming his own duo, Nightbreed, with his friend Kev.
He maintained his firefighting career and his privacy, alluding to his day job in a 2015 interview with P.
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