Ricky Harris, the Voice Behind Some of Your Favorite Hip-Hop Skits, Has Died

Actor and comedian Ricky Harris has reportedly died at the age of 54. According to OkayPlayer, he passed away after suffering a heart attack; friends and family confirmed his death on social media Monday.

Harris’ extensive work included roles in films like Heat, Dope, and This Christmas, as well as TV series such as CSI: Miami, NYPD Blue, and The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story; however, hip-hop heads are most familiar with his contributions to some of the most popular rap records. He was the man behind the legendary voice characters DJ EZ Dicc, TaaDow, and Saul-T-Nutz in albums by Snoop Dogg and Tha Dogg Pound. 

He also lent his signature voice to Ice Cube’s “Turn Off the Radio” track fromAmeriKKKa's Most Wanted. Famed producer Sir Jinx touched on Harris’ involvement in the record during an interview in Brian Coleman’s book Check The Technique Vol 2.

“The radio voice guy on there also did ‘W-Balls’ for Dogg Pound [Author’s note: ‘W-Balls’ from Snoop Doggy Dogg’s Doggystyle, from 1993], his name is Ricky Harris,” Jinx explained. “He did all the stuff like that for Snoop. That dude got very popular for talking like that, so when Dre went over to Death Row, he had a job.”

Throughout Monday, Harris' friends and colleagues expressed their condolences on Twitter and Instagram. Everyone from Snoop and Questlove to Sinbad and Cedric the Entertainer paid tribute to the multi-hyphenate.