Samantha Lawrence, one half of UK hip-hop duo We Papa Girl Rappers, has died aged 55.
In a statement, Lawrence’s family said “it is with great sadness that we announce that beloved sister and mother Samantha Lawrence passed away on Sunday”.
British female rap duo, consisting of sisters Sandra and Samantha, also known as TY Tim and Total Ace.
Sandra confirmed that Samantha died peacefully in London this year after being diagnosed with secondary cancer.
The rap duo rose to fame in the 80s and are best known for their hit We Roll which peaked at number six on the UK Singles Chart in October 1988.
The song combines schoolgirl rhymes with dancehall beats.
The V-Papa girl rappers were part of a wave of British female rap artists in the late 80s that also included the rap duo Cookie Crew and Mooney Love.
The London sisters were former backing singers for Feargal Sharkey before forming their own group.
They released two albums – The Beat, the Rhyme, the Noise in 1988 and Be Aware in 1990 – before splitting in 1991.
DJ Dave Pearce, who worked with the pair, paid tribute to Samantha, saying she was “part of a defining and historic era of British female rappers who conquered the UK charts against the odds”. .
He added that it was a pleasure to work with the pair and “their positive energy was contagious”.
“Through his success, Sam may have inspired others to follow their dreams. I’m glad I had the chance to remind him recently,” he said.