Samantha Lawrence, best known as one-half of 1980s UK hip-hop duo Wee Papa Girl Rappers, has died. 

News of the rapper otherwise known as Ty Tim’s passing was confirmed by DJ Dave Pearce, who shared a statement on behalf of her family. Pearce had previously worked with the duo comprising Samantha and her sister Sandra at the height of their popularity while hosting the BBC’s first rap show, A Fresh Start to the Week. Lawrence died peacefully at home in London after receiving a secondary cancer diagnosis earlier this year. She was 55.

“Very sad to announce the passing of Samantha Lawrence, AKA Ty Tim, of pioneering UK Hip Hop duo Wee Pappa Girl Rappers,” Pearce said in a statement on behalf of the Lawrence family. “Sam was part of a defining and ground breaking era of trailblazing British female rappers who against the odds conquered the UK charts alongside the likes of Cookie Crew.

“It was a really exciting time for me and always a pleasure to work with them on my Radio London Hip Hop Show back in the day,  their positive energy was infectious,” he continued. “Through her success Sam will have inspired others to follow their dreams, I’m glad I had the chance to remind her of that recently. Thoughts with her sister Sandra and daughter KeeKee. Rest In Peace.”

Formed in 1987, Wee Papa Girl Rappers took their name from a French Creole expression “oui papa”, used regularly by the sisters’ Saint Lucia-born father. Signing to Jive Records, the pair debuted with the track ‘Rock The Clock’ before dropping their first album in 1988, ‘The Beat, the Rhyme, the Noise’. 

The record produced three singles, including their biggest hit, ‘Wee Rule’. The reggae-dancehall influenced cut that reached No.6  in the UK charts and received a club remix from Detroit luminary Kevin Sanderson, who would also work on an acid version of ‘Heat It Up’, taken from the same LP. Their second LP, ‘Be Aware’, came two years later, with the pair disbanding after standalone singles ‘Wee Are the Girls’ and ‘Wherever You Go’ were recorded under The Wee Papas name. 

Listen to ‘Wee Rule’ below.