Blaze Ya Dead Homie

You know what hip-hop needs? More ghost rappers. Other than Bushwick Bill on his 1995 album, Phantom Of The Rapra, and Snoop Dogg’s dramatic turn as paranormal gangsta Jimmy Bones in the 2001 horror film Bones, hip-hop has had a frustrating lack of undead MCs. Into this void steps Michigan’s Chris Rouleau, also known as Blaze Ya Dead Homie, the ghostly incarnation of a murdered gang member from the ’80s who has come back to haunt the world with faux-scary shtick geared toward kids who love Insane Clown Posse almost as much as setting the garage on fire. Rouleau unveiled this persona on 2000’s Blaze Ya Dead Homie, which was followed by the memorably titled 1 Less G N Da Hood the following year. Like the rest of the ICP crew, Blaze doesn’t get much publicity, but 2007’s Clockwork Gray did manage to hit the Billboard Top 40 hip-hop and R&B albums chart. Last year’s Gang Rags didn’t fare as well. 

Updated 01/12/2011