The hip-hop world is reeling following the sudden Cleetis Mack Digital Underground death. The veteran rapper, known to many fans simply as “Clee,” passed away on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. His death was confirmed by representatives for the legendary Oakland-based group, who expressed profound grief over the loss of a man described as the “soul of the movement.” Mack was 54 years old.
Cleetis Mack joined Digital Underground in 1993, during the group’s highly influential second wave. He made his debut on the single “Wussup Wit the Luv,” a track that famously featured 2Pac, whom the group is credited with discovering. While Digital Underground was known for its rotating door of talented contributors, Mack became a mainstay throughout the 90s, known for his humility, high-energy stage presence, and his ability to hold his own alongside icons like Shock G and Money B.
As of Wednesday morning, the exact cause of the Cleetis Mack Digital Underground death has not been publicly released. Sources close to the family indicate that the passing was “unexpected” and occurred at his home. Digital Underground issued a moving official statement honoring the rapper:
“Cleetis Mack’s death has left an irreparable void in our family and hearts. He was more than a group member he was the soul of the movement. He inspired those around him with his warmth, loyalty, and quiet strength.”
Mack remained an active performer well into the 2000s, frequently joining the group’s “After Hours” tours and staying connected to the West Coast rap scene. His death marks another somber milestone for Digital Underground, following the loss of the group’s founder and frontman, Shock G (Gregory Jacobs), in 2021. For many fans, Clee represented the bridge between the group’s early funk-heavy roots and their later, more collaborative years.
Within hours of the news breaking, tributes began pouring in from across the industry. Fellow Oakland artists and fans took to social media to share memories of Mack’s kindness and his contributions to the “golden era” of hip-hop. “May they make music together again in the sky, Shock G and Clee,” one viral post read. Plans for a public memorial in Oakland are reportedly being discussed, with many expecting a large turnout of the “DU” family to pay their final respects.
