Rapper, producer, and Anticon co-founder Brendon “Alias” Whitney died of a heart attack on Friday, according to an announcement his friend and collaborator Sage Francis made on Twitter Saturday afternoon. He was 41 years old.
There’s no proper way to say this or deal with this, but so I want to put this out there and then step away for a while. Our great friend and longtime collaborator Brendon Whitney (@AliasAnticon) passed away of a heart attack yesterday. No one was nicer. No one. We love you, Bren pic.twitter.com/4TxOCPJo2z
Saturday, Anticon’s official Twitter feed also posted a confirmation of Whitney’s passing.
Just received news of a major loss - the passing of our dear friend and Anticon co-founder @AliasAnticon. We will always remember him for his incredible heart and talent, and the support he gave us all. Rest in peace Brendon Whitney. pic.twitter.com/vJ3pULqwgJ
In 1996, Whitney joined fellow rapper Sole’s Live Poets outfit, which was later rechristened as Deep Puddle Dynamics. While recording under his moniker Alias, Whitney co-founded the experimental indie label Anticon in 1998 along with Doseone, Odd Nosdam, Yoni Wolf, and Sole.
Following an Anticon catalog of studio projects dating back to 1998’s Anticon Presents: Hip-Hop Music For The Advanced Listener, Alias’ friends and industry peers took to Twitter with condolences.
Just found out one of my oldest friends I began this journey with , anticon co-founder and one of the best producers of all time , @AliasAnticon has died. We haven't spoken in years. I'm so sorry Bren I have been meaning to email you and set things right for years. RIP brother pic.twitter.com/CQQ7M9K63O
Can’t believe I’m writing this. RIP @AliasAnticon, a trusted friend and colleague for almost two decades 💔
processing the fact that Alias is gone. my heart is broken for his family. possibly the nicest & most underrated artist I’ve ever known. I regret that I didn’t see him or speak to him often enough.
remember to tell people you appreciate them while you still have the chance.
RIP @AliasAnticon. Love and condolences to his family and friends. ❤️
This man is, and will all ways be, 110% Love and Respect. Rest Brother. @AliasAnticon pic.twitter.com/6OtKP52nB6
Bren was the first Anticoner to make me feel like I was part of the family and not a wide-eyed worshipper. I met Jen the same night and it was clear that they were true sweethearts and a source of indescribable warmth within a wild world of jagged edges and mind-boggling art. https://t.co/s61Zl1uBSo
rest in peace Alias. much love to his friends and family.
Whitney released upwards of a dozen studio projects under the stage name Alias, including 2002’s The Other Side of the Looking Glass. His most recent full-length solo project was 2014’s Pitch Black Prism.
