PHILADELPHIA (AURN News) — According to The Philadelphia Tribune, Lamar “Black Ice” Manson, the influential Philadelphia spoken-word artist who helped bring poetry into the hip-hop mainstream, has died at 54.
Manson was recognized as the first poet signed to Def Jam Records and was part of the original Broadway cast of “Def Poetry Jam,” which won the 2003 Tony Award for Special Theatrical Event.
A North Philadelphia native and graduate of Thomas Edison High School, he first gained attention through performances at New York’s Soul Café, where he was discovered by Russell Simmons.
Manson later appeared on HBO’s “Def Poetry Jam” for five consecutive seasons and released his debut album, “The Death of Willie Lynch,” in 2006.
His family remembered him as a devoted father, grandfather, mentor and educator.
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