5th Ward Weebie, the New Orleans rapper who had a hand in bringing the local sound of bounce music to the world, has died after complications from a ruptured artery. He was 42. A representative confirmed the rapper's passing to WWLTV on Thursday.
Born Jerome Cosey, Weebie grew his legend in New Orleans with songs like "Shake It Like A Dog," “I Really Want U,” and “So Attracted.” He logged collaborations with Mystikal and Master P and in 2006 released "Fuck Katrina" in the wake of the devastating hurricane. Weebie went viral in 2013 with "Let Me Find Out," a song embraced by Snoop Dogg and Juvenile on an official remix.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell celebrated Weebie's life in a statement:
“It broke my heart to learn that Jerome Cosey — our 5th Ward Weebie — has passed. Let me find out you didn't know who he was. He was an iconic personality, a New Orleans legend, and a beloved friend. He was the Bounce King, who showed us how to move, how to love, and how to bring passion and humanity to everything we do... New Orleans has lost a cornerstone of our culture. Our City will not be the same without his voice and his spirit. May he rest in God’s perfect peace.”