Los Angeles, CA – Veteran Los Angeles DJ/producer Ras G has passed away at the age of 39, according to several friends and affiliates. Social media posts started popping up revealing the news on Monday (July 29).

In an Instagram post from live screen printing company Hit + Run, the caption describes Ras as a “pillar” of Hip Hop culture.

“Safe travels to the next plane(t) G, thank you for always being so gracious,” the caption read. “Ras G, a truly original artist, pillar of culture, innovator, diplomat, wise man and legend of Los Angeles arts.”

Ras has released multiple albums with Brainfeeder (founded by fellow L.A. native Flying Lotus), including 2013’s Back On The Planet. Last month, he dropped Down 2 Earth, Volume 4 with the Ghetto Sci-Fi imprint.

While no cause of death has been reported, Ras experienced serious health issues last December, which he talked about in an Instagram post.

“On Dec 17 i called a ambulance because i was having shortness of breath(wasn’t the blunts relax),” he explained in the caption. “on arrival to the culver city hospital i was diagnosed with pneumonia, borderline high blood pressure, diabetes, hypothyroid ,and heart failure all WTF?!? To i-self was feeling off but not fully knowing(take yo ass to the doctor to see whuts whut).”

Cut Chemist, another L.A. Hip Hop staple, spoke of Ras’ uniqueness to HipHopDX.

“I always feel comfortable around those certain folks who speak deep space yet are grounded on earth,” the Jurassic 5 turntablist said. “Ras G was that dude. An amazing artist and soul. I will miss our brief yet impactful conversations.”

Social media exploded with reactions to Ras’ passing. Check some of them out below.

Ras_G has left the planet, far beyond the galaxy.

Show us the way to the cosmos my friend.

I will love you forever.

Thank you for your time on earth. Ohhhhhhrassssssssss

*airhorn* — FLYLO (@flyinglotus) July 29, 2019

very difficult to imagine life without Ras G. — FLYLO (@flyinglotus) July 29, 2019

Rest In Peace Ras G. Wow. — ashy daddy (@Thundercat) July 29, 2019

damn. rest in peace @Ras_G — Open Mike Eagle (@Mike_Eagle) July 29, 2019

Today we lost a legend, a musician, a sage, a scholar, a king,…but most of all, we lost a brother. Rest In Peace to the one & only @Ras_G. Thank you for blessing us. Keep smashing those Beats throughout the cosmos. We love you Ras. “OooohhhRasssss!” pic.twitter.com/zCEcQw1ENO — rhettmatic (@rhettmatic) July 29, 2019

Rest In Peace to Ras G 😔 — The King of Games (@Chuck_Strangers) July 29, 2019

Damn RIP Ras G. Your energy will be missed. — LAMBOLAMBO 🦓 (@LAMBOLAMBO) July 29, 2019

dang a real life living legend has passed… RIP @Ras_G — Kenny Segal (@KennySegal) July 29, 2019

Ras G…damn… 😰 — SPEAK (@speakz) July 29, 2019

× GUTTED. RIP @Ras_G True Legend. Thank You For Everything You Shared Here On Da Planet. Keep Guiding Us From The Cosmos.💔 #AfrikanSpaceProgram For Life. × pic.twitter.com/eRLg1DBVo9 — ♬ $UZI ΛNΛLØGUΣ © (@suziAnalog) July 29, 2019

RIP Ras G, LA's intergalactic ambassador, the Sun Ra of the beat scene whose vision spanned alternate dimensions & unseen worlds. A gentle sorcerer, soft-spoken & humble, suffused w/ the ability to render cosmic white noise into something that glided & banged. A giant w/out peer. pic.twitter.com/8rcM5qXizj — Otto Von Biz Markie (@Passionweiss) July 29, 2019

We lost an LA legend. Ras G was the beat scene’s answer to Sun Ra. His music was an attempt to commune with the constellations, the Afrocentric direct from Alpha Centauri. I can’t count the number of times I saw him melt minds and speakers. RIP pic.twitter.com/m16RGnKztt — Max Bell (@TheeMaxB) July 29, 2019

Shit super fucked. Was just chillin with you few months ago and you gave me some real gems, genuine ass nigga. Truly glad to have met you. Music fucking inspiring. Rest easy up there in the Spacebase gz. @Ras_G pic.twitter.com/GHbFTvOGZi — koncept jack$on (@konceptjackson_) July 29, 2019