Gift of Gab, of Blackalicious rap duo fame, dead at 50

Gift Of Gab, the co-founder of rap duo Blackalicious known for his tongue-twisting “Alphabet Aerobics” rhymes, died Friday after battling a host of health issues. He was 50.

The other half of Blackalicious — DJ Xavier “Chief Xcel” Mosley — confirmed his tragic passing in a statement published on the duo’s official Instagram. “It is with much sadness and a heavy heart I announce the passing of my friend and brother of 34 years, Timothy Jerome Parker aka The Gift of Gab,” Mosley wrote. “He returned peacefully to the essence on June 18, 2021.”