Posted by The hip-hop community is reeling from the heartbreaking news of New Jersey rapper Drazmatik’s passing. Known for his lyrical precision, raw storytelling, and dedication to the culture, Drazmatik was more than just an artist; he was a voice for his city and a beacon of authenticity in the underground rap scene. Our deepest love and prayers to his family and closest friends. May God grant them the strength to lean on one another during this difficult time of transition.
Though we never met in person, Drazmatik never hesitated to give me a call. He was always excited to share new music, and every time that phone rang, I knew he had something major in the works. Our last conversation happened around the time he was planning the video shoot for “Driven (Alternate Mix),” a moment he saw as bigger than music. He told me how he was uniting artists from all over New Jersey to show the world that there’s strength in numbers when standing together. He invited me to be part of the experience, but sadly, I was unable to attend.
Drazmatik is a reminder to us all: life is short. Chase your purpose, build with the people you respect, and never shy away from unity. Rest in power, Drazmatik.
Qbon
I took this picture of my brother to add to the documentary we were working on. Right before he went into the booth, he said, “ We have to work non-stop while others sleep, we have to keep putting out this music, Qbon.” Never in my life have I met someone with his drive. All day, every day, always on the go! We had a conversation a few months back. I asked him, “Why are you going so hard with this music?” He said it was not for fame, but rather the legacy. He wanted the universe to remember he was here. Something his children and family could always turn to. The past few days have been difficult, not having my bro call me 4-5 times a day. We would often go for a ride, get coffee, go to the park to listen to our music, come up with new ideas, and make plans for what was next. I miss him already, but he will live on through me and I’m sure many others. Rest In Peace, Drazmatik.
TruWerdz
Hip Hop lost a real one!
You weren’t just an emcee—you were poetry in motion, a storyteller who painted pain, power, and pride in every bar. Whether it was in the lab or just building as friends, your energy was rare, real, and raw. Thank you for the knowledge, the laughs, the verses that felt like scripture, and the loyalty that never wavered. Your voice echoed with truth, your presence inspired, and your heart was always bigger than the beat.
You’ll live forever in the music, in the moments, in the memories.
From the cipher to the stars—rest easy, king.
Quiet
I’ve known Draz for a long time, hanging in the same circle. We didn’t record any music together, the most we would do was sit on the porch and freestyle for hours..
We both found out we were in Atlanta from a mutual friend, and he’s been on 10 ever since.
His work ethic is unmatched and very impressive. He has a dislike for punching in takes and would always land his verse in one shot. I always found that funny. I would say “take a punch” to hear him say “nah, I got you”.
He lived music! If it wasn’t music, family, or Volkswagen/Audi related, he probably wasn’t interested in the conversation.
He completed an album that was scheduled for release while in the hospital. We will still work out a few kinks and release the album, as well as the rest of the unreleased music, because that is what he would have wanted.
Overall, he was a great artist to work with. He pulled me out of retirement 15 years ago to help him with a project, and has kept the pressure so consistent I’m sitting here realizing I’m supposed to be retired. My brother, my friend, my business partner will live forever.
Mecca Starr
Man, losing Curtis Vaughn, my dude Drazmatik, hit hard. He was a real one, a hip-hop soldier who kept the culture’s heart beating. I linked up with Draz and his boy Drunk while working with Wise Intelligent from Poor Righteous Teachers. Right off the bat, Draz showed me mad love, hyping me as an MC when I was second-guessing myself. He made me feel like I was that dude, even when I was down and out. He pulled me into The Standoff, and we made some heat—“Never Die” still bangs in my soul. In 2022, he hit me up for a track on his last joint, but being in Virginia messed up our plans. Man, I wish I’d made it happen. Draz wasn’t just about bars—he was my brother, my protector.
I’ll never forget my first gig after cutting my locks, at Liquid Charm Club in Philly. Born Free was dying laughing, saying Draz and his crew looked like they rolled out of Cooley High, ready to flip a breakfront or scrap for me. Another time, I was performing, and Draz was eyeballing my homie like, “Who’s this guy?”—ready to square up, not knowing my boy was looking out for me too. That was Draz, always having my back. Dude even installed a ceiling fan at my crib, ‘cause he was an electrician who showed love in every way.
Draz kept it 100 for hip-hop, pouring his heart into every rhyme and uplifting us all. To his son and widow, my heart’s with you—his spirit’s alive in you and his music. Long live Draz, my rap homie. You’ll never die, fam.
Chris “Cee Rock” Lee
Man, I’m still in disbelief…my bro, Curtis Vaughn aka Drazmatik, is gone. Trenton/Ewing, N.J, has lost a rap icon and all-around great man, father, brother, and friend. There is no other emcee in the history of hip-hop that I have seen more determined than bro! He supported his rap movement for as long as I can remember, and I watched his flow and style improve with each rhyme he wrote.
He’d always call me or come by and sit in the car and drop a new verse! Draz was the epitome of hip-hop since the 90s. The pain in his verses made his voice so distinct, you knew it was him spitting on that tape…and he continued to be great up until his untimely demise.
He has always been an influence on our family, The Unfound. He helped all of our MCs improve as artists and as businessmen in rap. Draz didn’t half-ass!!!! He wanted your project to be
perfect!!!! We have a ton of Unfound MCs that made a name in our city under Draz’s leadership. And we all thank him to this day for being that motivation.
I could say so much more about my brother, but I’ll wrap it up with this. God has one amazing child up there with him now. Your family and friends love you and will miss you so much, bro!!!!! God, thank you for allowing Draz to be a part of my life!!! RIP Draz
Gary ‘Gnu’ Copeland
First of all, NOBODY loved Hip Hop more than Drazmatik. It was like the man was possessed. He lived it, breathed it, slept with it, ate it for dinner. He was like the Hip-Hop Overlord! NOBODY worked harder than Draz when it came to that music. NOBODY had more drive than him. Rap was his plan A; there was no plan B.
He was rhyming since high school. When everybody stopped doing music and got jobs, Draz stuck with it. He was a dope MC, and he was nasty on the beat production. He was the first person to put me in the studio back in ’95. He was also the last, while working on his recent album. He had thick skin, but he also wore his heart on his sleeve, thus the name of his previous album “Heart On My Sleeve.”
Saying “no” to Draz only made him go harder. When I had my podcast, he helped me in any way he could. He helped me get guest rappers on my show like Young Zee. He was a guest on my show a few times. He believed in me and gave me the confidence to rap and shoot videos.
We used to ride mountain bikes on the trails, and Draz was a beast! It was hard to keep up with him out there. I will miss my bro. I can’t imagine a world without him in it. We were friends since we were little kids, so close we called each other cousins. My parents even let him stay with us back in the day. Draz was one of one! May he Rest In Beats.
Vinz Vega
In honor of the late Drazmatik, hip-hop producer Vinz Vega pays tribute by curating a heartfelt collection of their collaborative works, titled “Trenton, NJ”. This commemorative project not only showcases the undeniable chemistry between the two creatives but also includes a couple of previously unreleased remixes, adding to Drazmatik’s musical legacy. Available as a free download, the release serves as both a tribute and a gift to those who appreciated his contributions to the culture.
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE
OFFICIAL SITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK
Rap Olympus Media 
My heart is in pieces. Draz is my day 1 from 8yrs old, I remember being in the basement of his Grandmother’s house, even way back then 10-11 yrs old he had mad records& when his uncle wasn’t there we took the turntables& were mixing down& recording..I still remember his first rap word for word. He caught on how to work the equipment so quickly, he was so smart& knowledgeable with all things that he did throughout life. I miss my best friend..there will be much grieving to do in the days ahead. I miss you& love you D.
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