According to several artists via Twitter, The Roots' manager Rich Nichols has passed away, although the details remain muddled.
Artists like Talib Kweli, Jill Scott, Phonte and Questlove each expressed their condolences and mourned the loss of their friend through social media platforms. Questlove shared an old text message with Nichols with the caption "Sharing Memories." However, others, including a Baltimore-based musician by the name of John Pinder, have stated that Nichols is still alive, although he is very ill and may be passing away soon.
Talib Kweli tweeted, "Rest in peace to one of the greatest men I've ever met, Rich Nichols," while Pinder posted the message on Facebook, "ROOTS Manager and former Husband of my good friend Yvette Matthews, who was my good friend Bobbi Booker’s BEST friend; who passed a couple of years ago…is fading and it’s just a matter of time before he leaves us."
We'll update you on this as more information on Rich Nichols becomes available.
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https://twitter.com/_/status/489640969705623552
[UPDATE: The Roots Release Official Statement]
The Roots have released an official statement, confirming the passing of their long time manager Rich Nichols. Read what they had to say below.
"The Roots Family are devastated to announce the passing of Richard Nichols, the band’s longtime manager, after a long battle with leukemia. Nichols, 55, a Philadelphia native, managed the band from its inception in 1992, and was instrumental in every aspect of The Roots’ creative, cultural, and professional life over the past two decades. Nichols is survived by his wife, Mercedes Martinez, his sons Amiri Nichols and Rakim Nichols, his sisters Rochelle Nichols-Solomon, Rebecca Dennis, his brothers Russell Nichols and Reginald Nichols, and the many individuals and artists he mentored in his lifetime."