The 27 Club is perhaps one of the biggest urban myths in music. The legacies of Amy Winehouse, Kurt Cobain, Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin (to name a few) have become entombed within the walls of this tragic faction of music history. The talented artistry of these deceased icons have become partly immortalised through their posthumous induction into this exclusive Club – a club inducted based on not making it past the age of 27.
So why is there a special place reserved for those musicians who died at 27? The claimed ‘statistical spike’ has lead to the belief that musician deaths are more common at this specific age – despite studies failing to support this notion with any credible evidence. Although there is a frequency of other violent means, such as suicide, murder, and transport accidents, the 27 Club is widely known for its proliferation of deaths through substance abuse – showcasing an undeniable truth to the proverbial ‘live fast, die young.’ While it has been noted that the risks associated with fame and celebrity lifestyle are likely the main culprit behind musician deaths, this risk is in no way restricted to the age of 27. The 27 Club might have an eerie air of mythological intrigue and exclusivity, but that doesn’t mean musicians who tragically died younger than 27 shouldn’t be similarly canonised. The tragic deaths of these young artists and their contributions to music history should continue to be recognised as significant, despite falling short of the legendary status of ‘the Club’. With that being said, here is a list of selected musicians who didn’t make it to the 27 Club.
Aaliyah (January 16th, 1979 – August 25th, 2001: aged 22)
The death of the R&B neo-soul princess sent the world into shock. A rising figure in the music industry, her work has been widely credited for bridging genres in a revolutionary amalgamation of R&B, pop, soul and hip-hop in the 1990s. She has been noted as inspiring the dissemination of the “futuristic production style” into mainstream hip-hop and soul (Steve Huey), as well as paving the way for teen R&B icons such as Destiny’s Child. Dissention found the young singer when it was revealed she had entered an annulled illegal marriage with mentor R. Kelly in the 1990s when Aaliyah would have been only 15. She died in a highly controversial plane crash in the Bahamas alongside the eight other passengers, just hours after shooting concluded for what was to be her last video ‘Rock the Boat’; it was reported that the resulting deaths could have been easily prevented if the plane wasn’t over maximum weight, and the pilot wasn’t intoxicated.
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Otis Redding (September 9th, 1941 – December 10th 1967: aged 26)
The old-school tunes of Otis Redding are immediately distinguishable through his pitch-perfect growl, his voice a permanent monolith in the soul and R&B genre. Often considered as one of the best singers in American popular music, Redding combined gospel inflexions with ‘Southern soul’ and elements of rock and roll to create a seminal blend of popular and niche genres. Among his body of work include the classic songs ‘(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay’ and ‘Try a Little Tenderness.’ Redding died in a plane crash, the actual cause of the crash never to be determined.
Tupac Shakur (June 16th, 1971 – September 13th, 1996: aged 25)
Although regularly ranked as one the greatest rappers of all time, 2Pac has also crossed over, hailed by many publications as one the greatest artists to have ever lived and an iconic figure of any genre. His highly-conscious hip-hop, which blended the urban grit and ghetto narrative of rap into a political and social commentary, has seen 2Pac canonised as one of the best-selling musicians in history. 2Pac’s personal life was plagued with controversy, from gang-related incidents, violent altercations, trials over sexual assault and prison time, and his death was no different. Tupac Shakur died in hospital after a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas, a case which has been dominated by widespread public and media interest and conspiracy theories. The identity of his murderer and the exact motive still remains unsolved.
Sid Vicious (May 10th 1957 – February 2nd, 1979: aged 21)
Still widely regarded as the ‘Prince of Punk’ even four decades after his death, Sid Vicious rose to prominence for his questionable bass skills and turbulent personal life in the anarchic ascendancy of the punk-pioneering band the Sex Pistols. An iconic figurehead of the punk movement, the legacy of Vicious remains largely due to his notorious reputation as a hardcore drug-user, alongside his highly-documented relationship to Nancy Spungen. One of the original ‘rockstar groupies’ of the 1970s, Spungen is said to have introduced Vicious to intravenous drug use, kick-starting a violent, obsessive relationship centred around a mutual codependency on drugs and each other. Their destructive partnership came to its fatal end in 1978 when Spungen was found dead in their Chelsea Hotel room, aged only 20. While Spungen’s death has been contested over the years, Vicious had largely been regarded as the primary suspect. While on bail for her murder and another assault, Vicious died at his prison-release party in Greenwich Village, New York, from a heroin overdose. His death has similarly been the subject of conspiracy over the years, with later evidence supporting the claim of a suicide pact between him and Spungen.
Big L (May 30th, 1974 – February 15th, 1999: aged 24)
Big L has been widely recognised as a notable contributor to the underground hip-hop scene of the 1990s, with his only album Lifestylez ov da Poor and Dangerous now regarded as a classic example of East Coast underground rap. He has been noted for his lyrical and storytelling ability, combining intellect with a vicious street mentality to blend metaphorical satire with a gritty narrative. His legacy can be largely attributed to being one of the early creators of the horrorcore genre, later made popular by artists such as Eminem. Big L was killed in a drive-by shooting in Harlem, New York, presumed as a vengeful act of retaliation for an unresolved dispute. The murderer’s identity and exact motive remain unsolved.
Billy Murcia (October 9th, 1951 – November 6th, 1972: aged 21)
Billy Murcia was the original drummer of the New York Dolls, a band often associated with being one of the first examples of the punk scene in America. The band’s earliest work in the 1970s has been immortalised as cult favourites. They similarly were an early example of the glam rock era, characterised by their androgynous appearance. Their influence on rock and roll has been noted as inspiring the likes of Guns N’ Roses, the Ramones, and the Sex Pistols, now deified by rock aficionados as glam rock and punk icons. Murcia, a fundamental part of the brief original line-up, died from complications of a drug overdose while touring England. Notable New York Dolls founding member Johnny Thunders was similarly known as a ‘junkie,’ passing away from drug-related causes years later.
Buddy Holly (September 7th, 1936 – February 3rd, 1959: aged 22)
Buddy Holly’s short career was fundamental to rock and roll history. He has been widely regarded as an icon of 1950s rock and roll, credited with defining the now long-established lineup of bass, drums, and two guitars. His musical influence still echoes in every facet of rock and roll, a source of major inspiration for current icons such as The Beatles, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, Elton John, and Eric Clapton. Alongside his long list of accolades achieved in his seven-year career span, Holly was among the first group of artists to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His vocal style was predominantly characterised by his vocal “hiccups” and “stuttering” to blues chords, as well as his signature use of the Fender Stratocaster. Holly died aged 22 in a plane crash which also killed fellow rock and roll musicians ‘The Big Bopper’ and Ritchie Valens, as well as the pilot. Valens, himself an established artist who is credited with pioneering both Latin and Chicano rock, was 17. The plane was chartered by Holly as their tour bus wasn’t equipped to handle the freezing weather driving between tour venues. Two musicians who were originally flying with Holly in the doomed plane gave up their seats to Valens and ‘Big Bopper,’ thus surviving by total coincidence. The combined deaths of Holly, Valens, and ‘The Big Bopper’ has lead to February 3rd, 1959 being known as ‘The Day Music Died.’
The Notorious B.I.G. (May 27th, 1972 – March 9th, 1997): aged 24
Biggie Smalls has gone down in history for his contributions to the rap genre. Widely ranked as one of the greatest rappers of all time, Biggie is a figurehead of East Coast hip-hop and 90s’ rap, his debut Ready to Die arguably one of the most notable albums to come out of the East Coast scene and into the mainstream. His flow is known for its effortless, relaxed quality, his raps showcasing lyrical prowess which is characterised by narrative and autobiographical references. He also mentored the rap group Junior M.A.F.I.A., launching the career of member Lil’ Kim. Biggie similarly became ‘notorious’ for his presence in the East Coast vs West Coast feud which has gone down in hip-hop history; the beef has largely become infamous for the deaths of its two most prominent rivals, West Coast rapper 2Pac and Biggie himself. The Notorious B.I.G. was assassinated in a drive-by shooting, which has come under media and public scrutiny for its similarity to 2Pac’s murder less than six months prior. The deaths have also been the subject of mass interest due to their hypothesised connection, and presumed foul play by other prominent rap associates. Like 2Pac, Biggie’s killer and the murder case remain unsolved.
Freaky Tah (May 14, 1971- March 28, 1999): Aged 27
Freaky Tah was an American rapper and hype man who was a member of the hip hop group Lost Boyz, along with Mr. Cheeks, DJ Spigg Nice, and Pretty Lou. He was known for his raspy voice and energetic ad-libs on songs such as “Lifestyles of the Rich and Shameless”, “Renee”, and “Music Makes Me High”. He was shot and killed on March 28, 1999, at the age of 27, by a gunman who mistook him for someone else. His death was part of a feud between two rival groups that he had no involvement in. He is considered one of the influential figures of New York rap in the 1990s and one of the members of the 27 Club.
Stretch (Aug 21, 1968- Nov 30, 1995) Aged 27
Stretch was an American rapper and record producer who was part of the hip hop group Live Squad with his brother Majesty. He was also a close friend and collaborator of Tupac Shakur, and joined his rap group Thug Life in the early 1990s. He appeared on several songs with Tupac, such as “Pain”, “Str8 Ballin’”, and “Runnin’ (From tha Police)”. He was also an extra in the movie Juice, where he met Tupac. He was shot and killed on November 30, 1995, at the age of 27, by a gunman who was allegedly hired by Jimmy Henchman, a rival of Tupac. His death occurred exactly one year after Tupac was shot and robbed at Quad Studios in New York. He is considered one of the influential figures of New York rap in the 1990s and one of the members of the 27 Club.
Capital Steezaka Courtney Everald “Jamal” Dewar Jr. (July 7, 1993 – December 24, 2012)Aged 19
Capital Steez was an American rapper and songwriter who was a founder of the Brooklyn-based rap collective Pro Era, along with Joey Bada$$. He was also a co-founder of the Beast Coast movement, which consists of Pro Era, Flatbush Zombies, and The Underachievers. He was known for his lyrical skills, spiritual themes, and numerological beliefs. He released his debut mixtape, AmeriKKKan Korruption, in 2012, which featured songs such as “Survival Tactics”, “Free the Robots”, and “Dead Prez”. He committed suicide on December 24, 2012, at the age of 19, by jumping off the roof of the Cinematic Music Group headquarters. He is considered one of the influential figures of New York rap in the 2010s and one of the members of the 27 Club.
Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy (January 23, 1998 – June 18, 2018), known professionally as XXXTentacion,Aged20
XXXTentacion was an American rapper and singer-songwriter who rose to fame with his hit songs such as “Look at Me”, “Sad!”, and “Moonlight”. He was known for his versatile and experimental style, as well as his controversial and troubled persona. He was a leading figure in the SoundCloud rap and emo rap genres, and influenced many other artists. He released two studio albums, 17 and ?, which both reached the top 10 on the Billboard 200. He was shot and killed on June 18, 2018, at the age of 20, by a gunman who robbed him outside a motorcycle dealership in Deerfield Beach, Florida. His death sparked an outpouring of grief and tributes from fans and fellow musicians. He is considered one of the most influential and impactful artists of his generation.
Malcolm James McCormick (January 19, 1992 – September 7, 2018), known professionally as Mac Miller,Aged 26
Mac Miller was an American rapper and singer-songwriter who was known for his witty and introspective lyrics, as well as his eclectic and experimental musical style. He released six studio albums, including Blue Slide Park, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 in 2011, and Swimming, which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album in 2019. He also collaborated with artists such as Ariana Grande, Kendrick Lamar, Anderson .Paak, and Ty Dolla Sign. He died on September 7, 2018, at the age of 26, from an accidental overdose of fentanyl, alcohol, and cocaine at his home in Los Angeles. His death was mourned by fans and fellow musicians around the world. He is considered one of the most influential and beloved artists of his generation.
Gustav Elijah Åhr Swedish pronunciation: [ˈoːr] (November 1, 1996 – November 15, 2017), known professionally as Lil Peep, Aged 21
Lil Peep was an American rapper and singer-songwriter who was known for his emo-influenced rap and rock music that dealt with themes of depression, addiction, and love. He was a member of the emo rap collective GothBoiClique and a leading figure of the SoundCloud rap scene. He had several popular songs such as “Benz Truck”, “Awful Things”, and “Save That Shit”. He died of an accidental fentanyl and Xanax overdose on November 15, 2017, at the age of 21. He is considered one of the most influential and impactful artists of his generation.
Patrick Lamark Hawkins (December 4, 1970 – February 3, 1998), better known by his stage name Fat Pat, aged 27
Fat Pat was an American rapper who was a member of DEA (Dead End Alliance) along with his brother John “Big Hawk” Hawkins, DJ Screw, and Kay-K. He was also part of the Screwed Up Click, a collective of Houston rappers who popularized the chopped and screwed style of hip hop. He was known for his songs such as “Tops Drop”, “25 Lighters”, and “Wanna Be a Baller”. He was shot and killed on February 3, 1998, at the age of 27, by an unknown gunman who owed him money for a performance. His death remains unsolved. He is considered one of the pioneers of Houston rap and one of the members of the 27 Club.
* Some information in this article has been gleaned from external sources.