WorldStarHipHop Founder Lee 'Q' O'Denat Dead at 43
WorldStarHipHop founder Lee O’Denat, better known as Q, reportedly died in his sleep on Monday night (Jan. 23). He was 43.
TMZ was the first to report Q’s passing. The cause of death has not yet been determined, but it is believed that he died from a heart attack. An autopsy is scheduled for later today.
Q founded WorldStar in 2005 and since then, the company has grown from a mixtape site into what The New York Times described as “YouTube filtered through the lens of hip-hop culture.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPqa8iQDW2k/
In 2015, Q spoke to the newspaper about his rise to online prominence. “They think it’s luck,” he said. “I don’t believe in luck. It’s hard work. Luck is when you get a scratch-off lotto and win five bucks, man. That’s luck.”
According to The New York Times profile, O’Denat is survived by three young children.
The hip-hop community took to social media to mourn his passing. “BLESS UP @qworldstar! You are amazing!” wrote DJ Khaled. “You are a inspiration to all of us. Thank you for always supporting me from day 1 on everything I have been apart of .. every time I see you I make sure I thank you ! My prayers go out to you 👑and your family.”
BLESS UP @qworldstar 🙏! You are amazing ! @qworldstar you are a inspiration to all of us . Thank… https://t.co/Ah1l3nQW6u
— DJ KHALED (@djkhaled) January 24, 2017
RIP TO A GREAT PERSON! @qworldstar My brother u did a lot for the hip hop blog community.. it's… https://t.co/wgzYbuKj6x
— SEAN KINGSTON © (@SeanKingston) January 24, 2017
R.I.P. Q (owner of @WORLDSTAR) prayers up for the family
— juicy j (@therealjuicyj) January 24, 2017
Such a giving guy. He always gave love. Sleep eternally in peace Q. pic.twitter.com/wrOQADXkqq
— LLCOOLJ. (@llcoolj) January 24, 2017