Brooklyn rapper Ka, born Cassim Ryan, has tragically passed away at the age of 52, as confirmed by his family in a heartfelt statement on Instagram on October 14th. They expressed their heartbreak, stating, “We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Cassim Ryan. Born and raised in Brownsville, Brooklyn, Ka lived a life of service to his city, his community, and his music.”
In addition to his successful career as a rapper and producer, Ka was a dedicated member of the New York City Fire Department for 20 years. The family noted his bravery, highlighting that he “put his life on the line to protect his fellow citizens while maintaining his music career.” Ka rose to the rank of FDNY captain and served as a first responder during the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center.
His musical legacy is remarkable, featuring 11 self-released solo albums. In a 2015 interview with the Passion of the Whites, he reflected on balancing his dual life, saying, “I’m living two lives, man. I’m trying to be who I am in the day and then trying to feed my soul at night with being the artist that I want to be.”
Ka started his music journey as a founding member of the group Natural Elements in 1993, and his most recent album, The Thief Next to Jesus, was released this past August.
He is survived by his wife, film producer Mimi Valdez, who honored him on Instagram with a touching tribute. She wrote, “My king, my hero, my best friend. You will always be my everything because love like ours lasts forever. Rest my beautiful husband. See you on the other side.”
Ka’s passing is a significant loss for both the music and firefighting communities, and he will be remembered for his dedication to his art and his service to others.
