P.M. Dawn’s Prince Be has died from renal kidney disease in New Jersey, according to a report by PEOPLE. He was 46.
On Twitter and Instagram, P.M. Dawn’s official social media accounts wrote, "Prince Be Rest In Peace forever more, Pain from Diabetes can't harm you anymore," though the Instagram message was deleted. A statement on Prince Be's death was shared on the group's Facebook page:
Since 1990, P.M. Dawn challenged musical limitations at the time with their 1991 Spandau Ballet-sampling single, “Set Adrift on Memory Bliss,” which featured Prince Be’s haunting, alto voice. Prince Be, whose real name is Attrell Cordes, and his brother Jarrnett Cordes (DJ Minutemix), established themselves as innovators of hip-hop and R&B, constantly venturing into different genres and creating their own. Their debut album, Of the Heart, of the Soul and of the Cross, was evident of their experimentation that sold favorable with over one million copies in the U.S.
P.M. Dawn’s 1993 release, The Bliss Album..? was also a success because it presented a unique blend of hip-hop and pop. Singles such as “I’d Die Without You” and “Looking Through Patient Eyes” were some of the album’s standouts, but the group’s sophomore effort faced controversy for being anti-rap. They continued to get embraced by other audiences, working with Elton John, Backstreet Boys, George Michael, and more.
In 2005, Minutemix was terminated from the group for misconduct. Prince Be continued to perform under the P.M. Dawn name with cousin Doc G. In November of 2015, Doc G shared a new single, “Stripe & Goose (99 Bottles),” as an iTunes exclusive.
According to PEOPLE, Prince Be is survived by his wife Mary and three children: Christian, Mia, and Brandon.
Reps for P.M. Dawn did not immediately respond to Complex’s request for comment.
