West coast rapper Gonzoe, who rose to prominence in the 1990s as a member of the rap group Kausion, has died. The King County Medical Examiner’s Office in Seattle, Washington has confirmed his death with REVOLT. Gonzoe, born Ronald Moore, died on Thursday (July 29) at the age of 45, according to the Medical Examiner’s Office.
Gonzoe’s group Kausion signed to Ice Cube’s Lench Mob Records in 1995. Their debut album, South Central Los Skinless, was released later that year. It featured the hit single “What You Wanna Do?” Following his departure from Kausion, Gonzoe joined another rap group called The ReGime. He later left that group to embark on his solo career. He was also an associate of the late Tupac Shakur.
Gonzoe released over ten solo projects, including his celebrated If I Live And Nothing Happens album in 1998. The LA rapper was the co-CEO of Glovez Up Gunz Down, a celebrity boxing platform powered by Snoop Dogg. The company also aims to teach boxing and end gun violence. Gonzoe appeared in the inaugural match against comedian and Glovez Up Gunz Down co-CEO Boskoe100.
Boskoe was one of the first people to report Gonzoe’s death on social media. The comedian took to Instagram to share his condolences and report the events that occurred leading up to Gonzoe’s death.
According to Boskoe, Gonzoe left a late-night studio session to grab a bite to eat from a nearby bowling alley. At the bowling alley, Gonzoe allegedly got into an altercation. The assailant followed Gonzoe outside the bowling alley, Boskoe said in an IG LIVE and fatally shot him. TMZ reports he was shot three times in the chest.
Several members of the hip hop community have shared their reactions to Gonzoe’s death online. Compton rapper Problem tweeted “RIP GONZOE” with a clip from the music video for Kausion’s “What You Want to Do?” KXNG Crooked tweeted “REST IN POWER GONZOE.” Glasses Malone wrote via Twitter “Damn …. rest in peace Gonzoe.” On Instagram Boskoe100 added “Damn I hate to have to say this. Rest in peace @imgonzoe. We really made history together bro.I feel for your son and family.”