JOHANNESBURG - The National Freedom Party leader, Zanele Magwaza-Msibi, on Thursday described South African award-winning Hip Hop artist Linda Mkhize, better known as ProKid, as a rare breed and a trendsetter who was always dedicated to his craft and wanted to excel.
ProKid, 37, died of a severe seizure on Wednesday whilst visiting friends. Paramedics were called in to assist, but were unable to revive him and called his time of death at 8.38pm.
"The news of his untimely death came as a shock to me because we were never informed that he was not well. Making it worse is the fact that he was such a young, yet talented musician. It would be recalled that the likes of ProKid were trendsetters in this genre of music because they were among those who actually introduced it to the youth of our country and took it to the level it is at today," Magwaza-Msibi said in a statement.
"One of the important things we will always remember ProKid with, is his clean life, dedication and courage to excel. He was a rare breed of musicians who never forgot his roots and more importantly, who never allowed his celebrity status to get better of him as he remained humble all the time."
ProKid's numerous albums, including the 2005 debut "Heads and Tales", "Dankie San" in 2007, and Snakes & Ladders in 2009, earned him numerous awards from the HYPE Awards and the Channel O Music Video Awards but he never managed to scoop a SAMA award.
Hip Hop artists including Slikour of Skwatta Kamp, JR, AKA, all paid tributes to the "Number One Soweto Boy" - as he usually referred to himself - saying that he had inspired their music journeys and had always remained humble.
ProKid is survived by his parents, his wife Ayanda, his three-year-old daughter Nonkanyezi, his brothers and his extended family. The family has requested privacy during this tragic time, saying they will update the media about funeral arrangements.