Rapper Luci4 Dead at 23: Manager Says ‘There’s Nobody Like Him’
luci4, the Los Angeles rapper born James Dear, has died at 23, a development confirmed by the L. A. County Medical Examiner while the cause of death remains unknown. The confirmation follows a Feb. 22 discovery at a friend’s house in Los Angeles and has prompted a police inquiry after first responders found the artist already deceased.
Luci4 Confirmed Dead by L. A. County Medical Examiner
The L. A. County Medical Examiner has confirmed the passing of the artist known professionally as Luci4. Officials have not announced a cause of death. Grandparents say he died on Feb. 22 at a friend’s home in Los Angeles and that they do not yet know what happened; they described themselves as suspicious because his wallet was found emptied and said they had recently warned him about people he had been spending time with as his profile rose.
Emergency Response: Los Angeles Fire Department and Police
The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a medical call at the house at 11: 40 AM, but when they arrived the person was already deceased and police were notified. Law enforcement officers established a crime scene on arrival and the investigation is ongoing; it is unclear whether foul play is suspected. Grandparents are awaiting answers from police as investigators continue work at the scene.
Kayla G’s TikTok Message and Fan Reactions
Manager Kayla G confirmed the death in a TikTok post late on Feb. 22, naming him as James, Luci4 and Axxturel and describing him as “a leader a king and a musician and a genius. ” She added, “There’s nobody like him and there will never be, ” and asked for privacy for family and friends. Fans used the TikTok comments to share remembrances and listed multiple names and aliases associated with the artist, writing that he will be missed and that his music had been personally important to them.
Career Milestones: 'BodyPartz', Atlantic Records and RIAA Gold
Luci4 rose to prominence online with the single “BodyPartz, ” which broke through on TikTok in 2021 and earned him a deal with Atlantic Records. The track was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America in 2024, and its apocalyptic visual has amassed more than 4 million views on YouTube. His manager and promotional materials also note that he began as a producer with Spaceghostpurrp’s BMB Deathrow collective and was identified as a pioneering figure in the internet microgenre sigilkore and in the underground krushclub subgenre.
Recent Releases and Catalog: Vampmania 3 and 2026 Singles
He released the album Vampmania 3 last year and had released multiple singles on digital streaming platforms in 2026, including “Otw” earlier in February, as well as “Sleeve, ” “B4 the Storm” and “#NEVERSURRENDER. ” Those recent releases formed part of a string of new material that followed his earlier viral success.
Outreach to Authorities and an Unrelated Site Notice
Billboard has reached out to the Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s Office for comment as the official investigation continues. Separately, an automated page on usatoday. com displayed a message explaining that the site is built for modern browsers and that an unsupported browser should be updated to ensure the best experience for readers.
What makes this notable is the combination of a rapid online rise—marked by a 2021 TikTok breakout and a 2024 RIAA gold certification—and the unresolved circumstances of his death; the emptied wallet described by family has led relatives to press authorities for answers, while emergency responders’ timeline and the police crime-scene action have moved the matter into an active investigation.
