Legendary Chicago producer Smylez has reportedly passed away, according to multiple reports.
Smylez, born Izerrick Aigbokhan, reportedly passed away due to a heart attack, according to Rico Recklezz.
Rico took to IG to mourn his friend and producer’s loss.
“Stop saying Smylez got shot. He had a heart attack. God [just] called his angel home. He was a legend and will [forever] be that [100]. RIP Smylez. Love you.
Rico captioned his post, “RIP @iamsmylez I can’t believe this s**t. I’m f****d up off this.”
Smylez is credited with spearheading the Chicago drill movement that sparked the careers of some of Chi Town’s most popular rappers, including P. Rico, Lil JoJo, Lil Jay, Rico Recklezz, Swagg Dinero, Killa Kellz and many more.
Smylez’s death sent shockwaves through the Hip Hop community, including Young Chop, Killa Kellz, Laka Films, DJ Cortez and many more:
What's bothering me knowing ain't gonna be no more Smylez beats. Or hearing that laugh haha . #RIP @iAmSmylez
— Shay ? (@ShayButler3) October 27, 2016
R.I.P. My n—- @iAmSmylez you a legend and will live on thru us.
— #FakeNeedNotApply (@Only4TheReal) October 27, 2016
Dam R.I.P. @iAmSmylez s— crazy. This city aint changing ?? my condolences
— Nino Brown (@JBreezeGuapo) October 27, 2016
Damn man RIP @iAmSmylez s— sad
— thefuckinpioneer (@trapception) October 27, 2016
Rest In Peace ??? @iAmSmylez …. A brother from Englewood that will always be remembered as a #Chicago legend ??
— Juan Haze (@Juan_Haze) October 27, 2016
Just heard the bad news man s— crazy asf I can't believe smylez gone RIP 069 TILL THE WORLD BLOW ?
— bla©k lives matter (@RZAH8Z) October 27, 2016
Damn R.I.P Smylez ?? #LeagueBoii
— KT RASTA #Legendary (@KTRASTA) October 27, 2016
RIP @iAmSmylez is so sad to lose someone who bring drill music to me …
— TRADER (@TraderBI) October 27, 2016
I know all my brothers hurting right now ? Shidd I'm hurt & I ain't even know Smylez like that. I just hate when ppl die man ?
— Ashley Red? (@Shes_AKeeper23) October 27, 2016
Damn RIP smylez s— crazy
— Prince Rif☪ (@UPTWNRIF) October 27, 2016
Damn Jo RIP @iAmSmylez ? Who Eva Did Dat Was On Sum Hating S— ?? He Was Definitely A Pioneer In The Chicago Music Scene ???
— RemyGang_DreDae (@RemyGang_DreDae) October 27, 2016
Smylez was raised in the 069 neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side. He attended Paul Robeson High School alongside fellow legendary producer Young Chop.
It was Chop who taught Smylez how to produce.
“I just started making beats twenty-ten,” he said. “I was f-cking with [Young Chop]. That was my homie. We was f-cking around in high school.
“I was more rapping,” he continued. “He used to come to my crib everyday make beats. I used to watch what he was doing. I started f-cking with him. I started f-cking with a lot of community motherf-ckers. I kept going and I got cold at that sh-t.”
Producing became so second nature to Smylez that he could whip up a beat in a matter of minutes.
He formed Leagueboii with fellow rappers Hittz, Jank The Jewla, Yayo Ford and Judo Heffner.
Smylez used his talents to expose the realities of young black men living on the dangerous streets of Chicago.
He was a real-life success story. Times weren’t always good for the talented producer. In his song “Rain On Me,” Smylez talked about growing up in foster care where he was, at times, homeless.
Smylez raps, “N***a, this is where I belong/I became a man today, I stepped into a foster home/Mama behind bars and they kicked us out the shelter zone/Living in hotels cause her husband left us all alone.”
Smylez goes on to talk about going to school hungry and selling dope to get by.
Being at the bottom gave Smylez a passion to change the lives of others. He hoped for his music to spark a change in his community and beyond. His selfless nature gave him a strong desire to give back.
Smylez spoke on his goals and aspirations for his people in a thought-provoking IG post captioned, “What I really wanna accomplish.”
“I make music because I like it. I don’t do it because I want money, foreign cars and thots,” Smylez said. “…What I really want is to fix up the community I grew up in, invest in better learning and education strategies and s— for these little n*ggas and little girls out here on these streets who were like me and never had sh*t.”
Chicago’s public school system has long been stricken with budget cuts.
Smylez wrote he wanted to invest in Paul Robeson High School, which has challenges in its student retention and graduation rates.
Smylez wanted to establish a music program for the students.
“I just want to use my money to help n—– because it’ getting ugly,” he continued. “…Before I leave this earth, I’ma make sure I leave these little n—– with something that’ll help build they future and get the f— off the streets.”
“I done see too many n*ggas die and go to jail…this s— is not the life yall want!”
Smylez has numerous projects in his catalog, including “Say Cheeze,” “Say Cheeze 2,” “Drill For A Deal,” JoJo’s Revenge,” “The Villain,” and much more.
Listen to music from Smylez below: