Influential indie rapper and former 9/11 first responder Ka dead at 52

Influential independent rapper from Brooklyn and New York City firefighter Ka has died at 52 on Saturday, October 12.
The 9/11 first-responder and artist’s unexpected passing was announced on his Instagram account.
It coninued: “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.”
The statement continued: “He leaves an extraordinary legacy as a recording artist, including eleven remarkable self-released solo albums.
“Ka is survived by his wife, mother, and sister. We kindly ask that the privacy of Ka’s family and loved ones be respected as they grieve this incalculable loss.”
Throughout his rap career, Ka released 11 independent albums.
Ka — born Kaseem Ryan — was first a member of the group Natural Elements in the ’90s, then formed the group Nightbreed until he went solo.
He released his first solo work in 2008, the album Iron Works and in August 2024, he released his final album, The Thief Next to Jesus.
DON’T MISS…
Ben Affleck, 51, gets total mid-life crisis makeover amid Jennifer Lopez divorce drama
Golden Bachelor’s Theresa Nist admits ‘my life has never been the same’ in emotional post
Jennifer Aniston breaks silence after being doused in black paint in the street
He’s best known for conceptual solo projects Grief Pedigree and The Night’s Gambit.
Still, he took a break from his music career in 1999 to become a firefighter, earning the role of captain in 2009.
He told Complex in 2013 that he loved his job with the fire department, but ultimately “it gives me the freedom to do the art. I feel like if I didn’t have a job, that’s when I would have to compromise myself a little bit more.”
Following a hiatus, he said: “I wanted to give my mother a CD to put in her hand. I just wanted to prove that I didn’t waste 20 years of mastering a craft without anything to show for it.”
He then made a guest appearance on GZA’s Pro Tools album as he went on to release his Iron Works debut in 2008.
Outside of his nine solo LPs, Ka also became a producer and had many collaborations over the years with his unofficial Metal Clergy partner Roc Marciano, Navy Blue and more.
He formed the Hermit and the Recluse duo with producer Animoss, in addition to teaming up with producer Preservation under the alias Dr. Yen Lo.
Plenty of fans and fellow rap peers paid tribute to Ka in his comment section.
“KA is one of the greatest lyricists ever…. And without rhyming, being a fireman is one of the greatest jobs we as people respect. Im heartbroken. Condolences to the family,” Mickey Factz wrote.
Rome Streetz added: “Rest in paradise to a Legend.”