The hip-hop community in Belfast is grieving the tragic loss of two young and talented rappers, Adam Woods, known as Woodzy, who passed away in 2022, and Rich Smicks, who died in July 2024.
Both were just 21 years old, leaving behind a legacy of music and a deep impact on their peers.
Durt Burd, a 23-year-old rapper from west Belfast, who collaborated closely with Rich Smicks, expressed his heartbreak.
“He was like a brother to me,” Durt Burd told BBC News NI. “All I can do now is try my best to carry on his legacy the way I feel he would have wanted it.”
The duo not only made music together but formed a bond that transcended the geographical and cultural divides of east and west Belfast.
Despite the division that others might see between their communities, for them, it was simple: they were just friends.
Durt Burd recalled, “For other people, the east and west thing meant a lot, but for me and him, we were just muckers.”
Their friendship and musical collaboration were recently honored in a powerful tribute track, Tear the Walls Down, featuring Durt Burd, Jun Tzu, and Manchester’s Prose.
This emotional homage is just one way the community is grappling with the loss.
Wee Joe, a 22-year-old rapper from Lurgan, also paid tribute, highlighting the talent and community impact of both Woodzy and Rich Smicks.
“The story that they portrayed in their music was amazing and the stuff they did for the community was outstanding,” he said.
Rich Smicks, in particular, was one of the first Protestant artists he connected with, making his death even more personal.
“Him passing was just heart-breaking,” Wee Joe added. “The only way I can deal with it is writing more.”
These young artists, along with others, gather at Hotbox Studios and the Yes U Can academy in west Belfast to write, record, and process their grief through music.
For them, music isn’t just a creative outlet—it’s a form of therapy.
FSJ, a 20-year-old artist who records his music at Hotbox, said the recent deaths have affected everyone in their community.
“Music is like therapy,” he explained. “Writing about how you feel in the moment is a way to deal with what you’re going through.”
Evo, a 26-year-old musician from east Belfast, shared a similar sentiment.
He has used music to cope with his own losses in the past, saying, “A lot of people tend to lock their emotions away… Just getting it out there helps you process it and helps you deal with it.”
For Sqxire, a 19-year-old artist, the loss of Rich Smicks has been devastating.
“He was a mentor and an older brother figure,” he said. “It almost feels wrong doing this without him, but I know I have to.”
The Hotbox Studios, run by James Ayo, serves as a crucial support system for these young artists.
Ayo, who has also felt the pain of losing both Woodzy and Rich Smicks, encourages the musicians to channel their emotions into their music.
“I always try and get them to talk from their heart and what’s going on in their minds and what they’re suffering with,” Ayo said.
As the community mourns, they are also pushing forward.
Hotbox Entertainment is organizing a two-day Hip-Hop conference and festival on November 7-8, giving young rappers a platform to perform and showcase their talents.
However, challenges remain. Wee Joe expressed frustration with the lack of support for young urban artists in Belfast, particularly in finding venues to perform.
“Belfast doesn’t offer much support for young artists—especially young rappers,” he said.
Also read: British Fringe Sensation ‘Operation Mincemeat’ Heads To Broadway
