Gangsta Boo, influential Memphis rapper of Three 6 Mafia, dies at 43

Gangsta Boo, the pioneering female rapper who got her start as a teenager in Three 6 Mafia, has died at age 43.

The hip-hop star (real name Lola Mitchell) died Sunday in Memphis, Tennessee, reps for the rapper at Echoing Soundz confirmed in a press release.

"The Mitchell family would like to thank everyone for their condolences regarding the untimely death of Lola ‘Gangsta Boo’ Mitchell. The family is asking for your continued prayers and privacy as we process the loss of our loved one,” said her mother Veronica Mitchell and family.

The press release adds: "Due to the ongoing investigation, specifics regarding the cause of death have not been released."

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DJ Paul, one of the founding members of Three 6 Mafia, took to social media to pay tribute to Mitchell Sunday, with a wordless post of Mitchell at turntable mixer. Ludacris, Big Boi, 2 Chainz and Lil Jon, among others, shared condolences in the comments.

The rise of Mitchell – also known as "the Queen of Memphis" or "Lady Boo" – as an ambassador of Memphis hip-hop started with her work on Three 6 Mafia's first full-length studio album, "Mystic Stylez," in 1995. She recorded several albums with Three 6 Mafia before parting ways with the group after the 2001 release of her second solo album, "Both Worlds *69." Her many collaborations include featured appearances with OutKast, Foxy Brown, Yo Gotti and Run the Jewels.

And while her success is associated with Three 6 Mafia, her solo work held its own. In 1998, she released "Enquiring Minds," which included the hit, "Where Dem Dollars At?!"

All three of her solo albums ranked on R&B charts. A steady stream of mixtapes and collaborations kept her name in play over the span of her nearly three decade-long career.

A week prior to her death, Mitchell filmed an unreleased video to "Imma Mack" for producer Drumma Boy's latest album "Welcome to my City Vol. 4," according to the press release regarding her death.

In a statement the producer and fellow Memphis native said, "Gangsta Boo was like a sister to me and told the world about me the way my blood brother did. We both are Leos and share the same energy towards unity and seeing people happy!"

"This is just such a devastating loss cuz she always wanted to see others win! RIP to the Queen Of Memphis, forever my sister," Drumma Boy (real name Christopher James Gholson) added.

As one of the first major female rappers representing the South, she shone a spotlight on those who came behind her, including GloRilla (aka Gloria Woods), the latest Memphis rapper to nab the national spotlight with hits like "F.N.F."

Last fall, Mitchell appeared on the podcast "Drink Champs," and spoke of the rising stars of GloRilla and Memphis rapper Gloss Up.

"It just made me feel good, 'cause they went whack and they represented Memphis right," Mitchell said.

On Sunday evening, Woods shared screenshots of what she said were conversations between her and Mitchell.

"She always supported me & the girls way back before we blew up," Woods said.

Rapper Al Kapone (aka Alphonzo Bailey), Mitchell's friend and collaborator, described her death as a deep loss for Memphis. Mitchell, he told the Commercial Appeal, let him know early on what his own style and influence meant to her.

"Boo is one of the first to represent female rappers in a major way and still is respected by the new female rappers today," he said. "Gangsta Boo is one of the reasons Memphis rap is global today."

Before Mitchell's death, Billboard asked her to describe her legacy or impact on female rap and hip-hop and general.

"I have to admit, respectfully and humbly, that I am the blueprint. I hear my cadence in a lot of men and female rappers. ... I wear that badge proudly," she told the outlet. "It just feels great to stand in yourself and look in the mirror and be like, 'Wow, you did that.' "

Contributing: Kim Willis, Naledi Ushe, USA TODAY

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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Gangsta Boo dead: Three 6 Mafia rapper dies at 43