HIP-HOP Johnny Kemp, 'Just Got Paid' Singer, Dead at 55

Johnny Kemp, best known for the hit song "Just Got Paid," has died. According to various news reports, the 55-year-old singer/songwriter/producer passed away Thursday. His cause of death hasn’t been confirmed.

Initial reports stated that Kemp had died after a fall on board the Tom Joyner Foundation’s 15th annual Fantastic Voyage Cruise, which runs April 10-19. The singer was slated to perform on the cruise with Teddy Riley as part of a New Jack Swing show segment. But as reported by The Root and Black America Web, a statement issued by Reach Media -- the company that presents the annual cruise -- refutes those earlier reports:

"We have received confirmation that Johnny Kemp has passed away. We do not have any other details. We can confirm he was not on the ship for the Tom Joyner Foundation Fantastic Voyage Cruise."

Born in Nassau, Bahamas on Aug. 2, 1959, Kemp first hit the R&B charts in 1986 with the No. 14 single "Just Another Lover." Two years later, he held the No. 1 R&B crown for two weeks with the percolating dance jam "Just Got Paid," which also hit No. 10 on the pop charts.

That same year he scored a second top 5 hit with "Dancin’ With Myself." Both songs were featured on Kemp’s second album Secrets of Flying. Kemp’s last charting entry was the 1989 song "Birthday Suit" from the soundtrack to Sing, a movie starring Lorraine Bracco.

Kemp is survived by his wife and two sons.