Gangsta Boo dead: Tributes paid as rapper and former Three 6 Mafia member dies aged 43

2 Chainz and Lil Jon have led tributes to Gangsta Boo, the pioneering rapper and former member of Memphis hip-hop group Three 6 Mafia, who has died aged 43.

It was reported by Fox 13 reports on Sunday that the performer - real name Lola Mitchel - had been found dead at around 4pm in Memphis. No cause of death has yet been disclosed.

Collaborator DJ Paul was among the first to pay tribute, sharing an image on social media of her on DJing. Under the image, messages from fellow rappers and stars came flooding in, with rapper 2 Chainz commenting: “Mannnn,” along with a crying emoki.

Lil Jon penned a message all in capital letters, which read: “MAN WE WAS JUS TOGETHER 3 WEEKS AGO. REST WELL QUENN,” followed by a praying hands emoji.

Taking to Twitter, Ty Dolla $ign also paid his respects, writing: “Long live my home girl Gangsta Boo. Queen of the M,’ while Questlove added: ‘….Gangsta Boo. rest in melody.”

Boo came to prominence as a member of Three 6 Mafia in the Nineties, recording verses for their 1995 debut album Mystic Styelz when she was just 15 years old.

She went on to feature on the group’s next four albums, as well as releasing solo records such as 1998’s Enquiring Minds.

Over the years, Boo collaborated with a number of rap heavyweights, including Eminem, Gucci Mane and The Game.

Before leaving Three 6 Mafia she appeared on Foxy Brown’s 1999 record Chyna Doll,and OutKast’s landmark 2000 record Stankonia.

She also performed at Coachella festival in 2015 with Run the Jewels.

The music video for her last release - a collaboration with GloRilla and Latto entitled F*** the Club Up” - dropped mid-December in 2022.