Hip Hop is mourning the loss of yet another pioneer of the culture — PHASE 2. According to multiple social media posts, the legendary Bronx graffiti writer and flyer designer (real name Lonny Wood) passed away earlier this week.
Veteran New York City Hip Hop promotor Van Silk tells HipHopDX he’d been in the hospital since August with Lou Gehrig’s disease.
MC Debbie D was one of the many who flooded Twitter with memories of PHASE 2.
“RIP to a fallen King, the legendary pioneer flyer creator, Phase 2,” she wrote. “In the 70s, he and Buddy Esquire were the ‘go to’ flyer makers. If you couldn’t get one, you got the other! Two of the best flyer makers to ever do it!!! Rest those hands, my brother!”
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