Rapper BOSS dead at 54: Singer who was signed by Russell Simmons in the 90s and had the hit song Deeper passes after renal disease and stroke

Rapper Bo$$- whose real name was Lichelle Marie Laws - has died at the age of 54.

Rapper Bun B announced the news on Monday evening through social media. 'Rest in peace to my big sis Lichelle Laws AKA Boss. One of the best female MCs and a dear friend,' he wrote as he shared a photo of the singer.

Her cause of death has not yet been revealed.

It is suspected she passed due to complications from renal disease, which she was first diagnosed with in 2011.

In 2017 a GoFundMe account was set up in her name after she suffered a stroke and seizure. It was also believed she needed a new kidney.

She became famous for being the first female rapper signed to Def Jam by Russell Simmons.

Rapper Bo$$- whose real name was Lichelle Marie Laws - has died at the age of 54 Seen in 1992 in NYC

Rapper Bun B announced the news on Monday evening through social media. 'Rest in peace to my big sis Lichelle Laws AKA Boss. One of the best female MCs and a dear friend,' he wrote as he shared a photo of the singer. Seen in 1992

In 1993 she came out with her first studio album, Born Gangstaz.

It reached number three on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in 1993. 

It turned out to be her only studio album during her career.

Her biggest hit song was Deeper.

She was also linked to the labels Sony Music Entertainment, Columbia Records and 8055 Records. 

Jermaine Dupri, Jadakiss, 9th Wonder, Ed Lover and others paid tribute to the star on Instagram.

Bo$$ was born and raised in Detroit, but after high school she moved to Los Angeles for her career.

One of DJ Quik's team members discovered her when she was performing.

She became famous for being the first female rapper signed to Def Jam by Russell Simmons. Seen in February in LA

In 1994, Laws was interviewed by a reporter from The Wall Street Journal.

The paper revealed that she grew up in a middle-class neighborhood on the West Side, Detroit.

She also studied ballet and piano, and attended Catholic private school where she was a cheerleader.

And she majored in business for two years at Oakland University.

Yet her music was full of vulgarity and aggression.

But Def Jef said there was irony in that. 

However, BO$$ was exposed to a rougher life when she moved to the south-side of Los Angeles in 1990.

They saw derelict hotels, feudal gangs, dealing and hustling, it was claimed.

It was also hinted that she even sold drugs.