Loss has a way of hitting the culture all at once, and this year hip-hop has had to say goodbye to a number of influential names who helped shape its sound and history.

At the top of the year on Jan. 30, legendary Swisha House co-founder DJ Michael "5000" Watts passed away at the Memorial Hermann Hospital in The Woodlands, Texas, at the age of 52. According to his family, Watts developed a fatal heart rhythm called Torsades de Pointes, which caused sudden cardiac death.

“It is with profound sadness and heartbreak that we inform the public of our beloved Michael ‘5000’ Watts,” a statement from Watts’ family read. “We truly appreciate the love shown to Michael throughout his career and we ask for continued prayers as we navigate through this very hard journey.”

GET THE BIG PIC AT XXL