Atlanta hip-hoppers Dem Franchize Boyz lost a member on Sunday with the death of Gerald “Buddie” Tiller.
The quartet released its self-titled album in 2004, with the single “White Tee,” before producer Jermaine Dupri signed them to his So So Def records the following year.
The group - which also included Parlae (Maurice Gleaton), Pimpin' (Jamal Willingham)and Jizzal Man (Bernard Leverette)- announced Tiller’s death on its Instagram account, and Dupri, in offering his condolences on social media, indicated (with an expletive) that Tiller died of cancer.
Fellow So So Def labelmate Da Brat also posted an R.I.P. to the rapper as did fellow Dem Franchize Boyz member, Pimpin’:
Dem Franchize Boyz became popular during the mid-2000’s “snap music” period, with songs including “I Think They Like Me” (featuring Dupri, Bow Wow and Da Brat) and “Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It,” going gold and platinum, respectively.
Following the release of 2008’s “Our World, Our Way” album, the quartet went on hiatus.
Dem Franchize Boyz were part of Dupri's So So Def 25th anniversary concert at State Farm Arena in October.
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