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Snoop Dogg’s younger brother, Bing Worthington, is dead, the rapper said Friday. Instagram.
The 44-year-old man died Thursday, according to California’s Orange County Sheriff’s Department, which runs the area’s medical examiner’s office.
“The cause of death will be pending the results of the toxicology report and autopsy,” said Sgt. Frank Gonzalez said via email.
Snoop hired his brother to work on high-profile projects, and he rose through the ranks of the rapper’s entourage to become tour manager and then executive producer of the record label that bears his nickname.
Speaking to the publication Vice in 2016Worthington said, “I was just the road guy. I worked my way to the top.”
He told the publication that he was involved in multiple projects launched under his brother’s brand, including skateboard maker Snoop Dogg Board Company in the mid-2000s and a hot dog startup, Snoop Doggs.
He merged a record label as part of Snoop’s business with Quebec-based Urban Heat Legends, whose boss, Miguel Lopez, was a friend, according to the resulting label, Dogg Records.
The label he said on his website that the merged company was the result of “a relationship formed between Bing Worthington (Snoop Dogg’s brother)” and Lopez. Their goal is to “create a platform where West Coast artists meet those from the North and vice versa,” the website states.
“I still can’t believe it,” Lopez said via email of Worthington’s death. “I’m still processing this.”
Worthington was the executive producer of the birthday party documentary, “Bigg Snoop Dogg: Raw ‘N Uncut Vol. 1,” released as a video in 2003, according to the Hollywood database IMDB.
He also received credit for writing the song “Tha Jump Off,” performed by Lifestyle and included on the soundtrack of the 2006 film “Van Wilder: The Rise of Taj,” according to the database.
On his Instagram account on Friday, Snoop tweeted a photo of his brother, “Bac wit momma.”
Other celebrities, including actor and singer Tyrese Gibson, responded with their condolences. “I’m sorry this happened… Prayers, love and light to you and your family,” he said.
Singer Tamar Braxton said: “I’m sorry for all your loss, brother.”
Diana Dasrath contributed.