Los Angeles-bred MC P.E.A.C.E., a member of Freestyle Fellowship along with Myka 9, Self Jupiter and Aceyalone, has died. Social media tributes started pouring in on Saturday (October 26).
Freestyle Fellowship posted from their official Instagram account, writing, “Rest well brother P.E.A.C.E ???????? You had a great heart and you were authentic. One of West coast Hiphop royal treasures. You will be surely missed my friend.”
P.E.A.C.E., a notable figure in the underground hip-hop scene, has a rich and diverse background that shaped his unique musical identity. Born and raised primarily in Los Angeles, California, he spent a significant portion of his life soaking in the vibrant cultural influences of the West Coast. However, his formative years took an interesting turn when he relocated to Dallas, Texas, where he resided for approximately a decade. This period exposed him to a different regional flavor that would later influence his lyrical style and perspective. During his early education, P.E.A.C.E. displayed a natural affinity for music, beginning with the accordion during his elementary school years. His musical journey expanded when he joined his school’s marching band, where he mastered the double bass, adding a deep, resonant layer to his skill set. Upon returning to Los Angeles, he further broadened his musical horizons by taking up the saxophone, which contributed to his versatile approach to sound and rhythm.P.E.A.C.E.’s foray into rap music began during his high school years in the mid-to-late 1980s, a time when hip-hop was rapidly evolving on the West Coast. It was during this period that a friend sparked his curiosity by mentioning a rapper at The Good Life Cafe, a renowned open-mic venue in Los Angeles, who reportedly shared a similar rapid-fire delivery. Intrigued yet skeptical, P.E.A.C.E. decided to investigate this claim by attending an event to see Myka 9 perform.
After waiting patiently, Myka 9 failed to appear, prompting P.E.A.C.E. to seize the moment and step onto the stage himself. His impromptu performance was a hit, leaving the audience stunned and earning him some early recognition as he “blew a few wigs back” with his dynamic flow. Undeterred by the initial miss, he returned the following Thursday night, and this time, Myka 9 was present. Watching him perform, P.E.A.C.E. partially agreed with his friend’s observation—both shared a knack for fast rapping, though Myka 9 brought a distinct stylistic flair to the table. That same night, Aceyalone, another prominent figure at the venue, approached P.E.A.C.E. and inquired about his name. P.E.A.C.E. first offered his given name, “Mtulazaji,” before revealing his rap moniker, “P.E.A.C.E.,” marking a pivotal moment in his emerging career.P.E.A.C.E.’s early contributions to the hip-hop landscape came through his involvement with Freestyle Fellowship, a groundbreaking group that released their debut album, To Whom It May Concern…, independently in the early 1990s. Distributed primarily through tape collectors, the album became a landmark in underground hip-hop, despite featuring only a few tracks where all members rapped together. The project shone a spotlight on each rapper’s individual style, with P.E.A.C.E. contributing two standout tracks, “Physical Form” and “For No Reason,” which showcased his lyrical dexterity and creative depth. The group’s follow-up album, Innercity Griots, released later, solidified their reputation, earning widespread acclaim as “an acknowledged underground masterpiece” for its innovative sound and storytelling.Venturing into a solo career, P.E.A.C.E. released his debut album, Southern Fry’d Chicken, in 2000, blending his Texas and Los Angeles influences into a distinctive sound. This album marked his transition from group dynamics to a solo artist, reflecting his personal growth and musical experimentation. His second solo effort, Megabite, dropped in 2004, further establishing him as a force in the underground scene with its bold production and lyrical complexity. These releases not only highlighted his evolution as an artist but also cemented his legacy as a pioneer who bridged regional styles and pushed the boundaries of hip-hop creativity.
Condolences from fellow members of the Los Angeles Hip-Hop community peppered each post—from Daddy Kev and Exile to the Visionaries and DJ Rhettmatic. No cause of death has been revealed.
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