The hip-hop world is mourning another loss. Cleetis Mack, a member of the legendary alternative rap group Digital Underground, has died suddenly, TMZ first reported. He was known affectionately within the group simply as Clee.
A representative for Digital Underground confirmed the news, saying his passing left a void in the group’s family and in their hearts that can never truly be filled. No cause of death has been revealed, and his age at the time of his passing remains unclear.
A loyal member of a legendary group
Mack joined Digital Underground in 1993, six years after the group was founded in Oakland, California by Shock G, born Gregory Jacobs, Chopmaster J, born Jimi Dright, and Kenny-K, born Kenneth Waters. His first single with the group was Wussup Wit the Luv, a track that featured a then-rising Tupac Shakur.
Digital Underground described Mack as far more than a contributor to their music catalog. In a statement, the group said he was part of the soul behind the movement, someone who brought warmth, loyalty and a quiet strength to everyone around him. They remembered him for his humility, love and spirited energy, qualities that made a lasting impression on all who crossed his path.
A group with deep roots in rap history
Digital Underground holds a significant place in hip-hop history, perhaps most notably as the launching pad for Tupac Shakur’s recording career. The group’s 1991 track Same Song marked Tupac’s debut on a major release and introduced him to a national audience. Their breakout hit The Humpty Dance became a Top 10 smash and remains one of the most recognizable songs of the early 1990s.
The group was known for its rotating, ever-evolving roster, and Mack was one of dozens of artists who became part of its extended family over the decades. His arrival in 1993 came during a pivotal era for the group, and his presence clearly left a mark that outlasted his time in the spotlight.
Loss follows loss for Digital Underground
Mack’s passing comes roughly five years after the group suffered another painful blow. Shock G, the founding member and creative force widely credited with shaping Digital Underground’s sound and identity, died suddenly in April 2021. His death marked the end of an era for the group and sent shockwaves through the hip-hop community.
Now, with Mack’s passing, Digital Underground faces another profound loss, one the group says has left them with a grief that words can barely contain. No funeral or memorial arrangements have been announced at this time.
Story credit: TMZ