Tributes have flooded in after the death of Gilbert ‘Toker’ Izquierdo from the Chicano hip-hop group Brownside.
The tragic news of his passing was announced on behalf of his family in posts on the musician’s Instagram page and on the group’s Instagram and Facebook pages.
A photo showed him with angel wings, leaning against a wall, alongside a message reading: “Rest in Peace to the Legend Gilbert Toker Izquierdo.”
A caption alongside it read: “On behalf of the Brownside family we regret to inform you our brother, father, husband and friend Toker has passed away. Please respect the family and let them mourn in peace. #Brownside #TokerForever.”
Toker’s cause of death has not yet been confirmed, although there were reports he had been killed in Mexico.
Fans paid tribute to the musician on Instagram after the tragic news of his death emerged. One said: “R.I.P Toker King Of Chicano Rap!!!?.” Another added: “R.I.P to one of the realist in the chicano rap game.”
Another tribute read: “RIP to a OG in the game. God bless your soul and god bless your family and friends.”
On Facebook, one fan wrote: “My heart goes out to the whole Broadside family. My thoughts and prayers for u all. My the Lord rap his arms around u all. My heart aches.”
Toker’s fellow Brownside group member Carlos Martinez, known as Danger, was shot dead in a drive-by shooting in San Bernardino, CA, in 1996.
Brownside was founded in 1993 by rap legend Eazy-E in a bid to create a Chicano version of rap group N.W.A., and was originally made up of Danger, Toker and Pierre “Wicked” Lamas.
Their debut album, Eastside Drama, was released in 1997, and was followed by Payback in 1999, The Take Over in 2006 and Bangin’ Story’z in 2016.