Image: Roy Rochlin

Radio personality Lord Sear, born Steve Watson, passed away at the age of 53 on March 11th.

No cause of death has been publicly disclosed.

Sear was a significant figure in the hip-hop community, known for his work on influential platforms, like the Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito Show, and as a long-time host on Eminem’s Shade 45 channel.

 

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He began his career with the hip-hop group Kurious before gaining prominence on the Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito Show, which played a key role in introducing future hip-hop legends like Jay-Z and Nas.

Over his two-decade tenure at Shade 45, Sear co-hosted The All Out Show and hosted The Lord Sear Special, helping to shape and promote hip-hop culture while collaborating with renowned artists such as Beastie Boys and Big Pun.

 

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Eminem and other hip-hop figures took to social media to express their grief and admiration for Sear, highlighting his humor, friendship, and significant impact on their lives and the music industry.

In addition to his radio work, Lord Sear also provided voice acting for the Grand Theft Auto video games and recorded several singles throughout his career.