I was shocked and saddened yesterday to learn that Lunitic from Ballymun rap group Urban Intelligence had passed away. I first met Luni about 5 or 6 years ago in Dublin's Templebar Music Centre at a Jam/Practice session for M.C's around Christmas Time.
Everybody knows about our well publicized exchange of Dis tracks a few years ago, A situation that at the time seemed to mean so much but when you hear news like this is really put in perspective.
Regardless of the situation between us, I always admired his style and talent and his love for hip-hop. I thought their version of Damien Dempsey's "Patience" was as raw and as brilliant a piece of Irish Hip-Hop as has been recorded, but the more recent cover or "Rocky Road to Dublin" and the tribute to his father "My Ol Man"
were what really made me sit up and see him as the artist he was.
I hadn't seen him since the beef until last December where we shook hands @ Billy Jam's radio show and put that situation in the past.
It goes without saying now but his music will live on and my thoughts and condolances go out to his family,friends and fans.
Rob
