August 08, the South L.A. singer and songwriter who penned hits for Justin Bieber and DJ Khaled, has died. He was 31.
The information was introduced on Instagram by his former document label, 88 Rising, and confirmed by his present label, Def Jam Recordings.
A reason for loss of life was not given.
“All the Def Jam household mourns the tragic lack of Ray ‘August 08’ Jacobs,” the label mentioned in an announcement. “An excellent songwriter, an achieved musician and a singular artist, August will stay in our reminiscence as a beloved colleague and pal.”
Jacobs’ sister, LaSherry “Pleasure” McKinney, posted in a video that her brother died Saturday.
Friends all through the music world paid tribute on Tuesday.
“I’m so heartbroken,” songwriter Bonnie McKee wrote on Instagram. “August you’re so proficient and I used to be loving watching your star rise. We solely did one music collectively however rattling I used to be so impressed … You have been so form and a real pleasure to work with.”
August 08 was a favourite co-writer for main acts like Bieber (“Sorry”), DJ Khaled (“I’m the One”), Quavo and Probability the Rapper. His 2022 LP, “Seasick,” launched on Def Jam along side Jhené Aiko’s Allel Sound imprint, featured collaborations with Aiko, Schoolboy Q and Joji.
Ray Davon Jacobs was born on Jan. 2, 1992. In an interview, he mentioned his household got here from Compton and that he grew up in Lynwood and Lengthy Seashore. He found music by way of his prolonged household and childhood associates like Sheldon Younger, a.okay.a. producer Channel Tres. Jacobs’ music drew from R&B and membership music, which gave a large palette for his glossy, lonesome vocals. Latest singles like this 12 months’s “Bruises” pulled from the identical Black home music traditions which have captivated Beyoncé and Drake.
August 08 got here to prominence as a solo artist as an early member of the 88 Rising artist collective, which produces L.A.’s Head within the Clouds competition. He appeared on tracks with 88 Rising friends Greater Brothers, Joji and Wealthy Brian, and launched his debut solo EP “Father” in 2018 by way of the collective’s label.
“Nobody is speaking about … having father points,” he instructed Complicated that 12 months. ”That’s why I feel [the single] ‘Funeral’ is an important half to the puzzle of opening individuals up, to understand that’s a daring factor to say to somebody: ‘Don’t say it at my funeral, say it to me now.’”
He would go on to launch a number of EPs and the albums “Emotional CUH” in 2020 and “Seasick” in 2022.
On the time of his signing, Aiko described August 08 as “an unbelievable author, singer and artist whose music speaks to me on so many ranges.”
Jacobs is survived by his mom and two sisters.
