Eminem paid tribute to his late friend in a social media post on Wednesday, writing that Sear was far more than just a radio personality. The rapper described him as a powerful presence, a close friend, and someone many people considered family.
Sear had been part of Shade 45 since the channel launched in 2004 and had previously toured with Eminem during the early 2000s on the Anger Management Tour. The cause of his death has not been publicly disclosed.
Reflecting on their time together, Eminem recalled how Sear’s humor often kept everyone laughing while they were on tour, describing him as one of the best people to be around.
Born and raised in New York City, Sear built a long and influential career in hip-hop radio. He first gained attention while touring as a DJ with rapper Kurious. In the 1990s, he became a prominent voice on the legendary Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito Show on WKCR, a program widely credited with helping introduce major artists such as Jay-Z, Nas, and Wu-Tang Clan to a wider audience.
In addition to radio, Sear also contributed to music, appearing on projects by artists including Beastie Boys, Big Pun, MF DOOM, The X-Ecutioners, and Statik Selektah.
His recognizable voice also appeared in popular video games such as Grand Theft Auto III and Grand Theft Auto IV.
During the 2000s, Sear joined SiriusXM, where he co-hosted The All Out Show with Rude Jude on Shade 45. He later hosted his own program, The Lord Sear Special, which continued airing on the platform until his passing.
His death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the hip-hop community, with artists, DJs, and fans remembering him as a distinctive voice who helped shape the culture and champion emerging talent throughout his decades-long career.
