Kaseem ‘Ka’ Ryan, New York City rapper-producer and firefighter, dies at 52

Rapper and New York City firefighter Kaseem “Ka” Ryan died over the weekend. “Rest my beautiful husband, see you on the other side.” A Brooklyn native, Ka was best known for channeling his personal battles and feelings into conceptual songs, including “Conflicted,” “Mourn at Night” and “Sirens.” Throughout his music career, which he balanced with his fire department service, Ka self-released 11 solo albums, including the lauded 2016 recording “Honor Killed the Samurai,” according to his Instagram. At first, Ka kept his music career under wraps, but a 2016 report by the New York Post did away with that secrecy, sparking backlash from hip-hop artists, including Run the Jewels’ Killer Mike and El-P. By then, Ka had self-released four albums, collaborated with “Shadowboxin’” rapper GZA, taught himself to produce his own music, shot his own videos and connected with rapper-producer Roc Marciano. “We kindly ask that the privacy of Ka’s family and loved ones be respected as they grieve this incalculable loss,” said the statement shared to his Instagram.