Emerging rapper Luci4, globally recognized for his viral hit BodyPartz, has died at the age of 23.

The rapper’s family confirmed that he was found dead at a friend’s residence in Los Angeles on February 22, 2026. Though the family stated they were unaware of the exact circumstances, concerns have been raised over the circumstances surrounding his death.

According to the family, Luci4, whose real name was James Dear, was discovered with his wallet emptied. They noted that he had previously expressed caution about the company he kept, especially after rising to fame and spending much of his time outside his home.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has not yet released a cause of death, and the investigation is ongoing. The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a medical call at 11:40 a.m., but Luci4 was already deceased upon their arrival, prompting the LAPD to be called to the scene.

Who Was Luci4?

Luci4 rose to prominence with the viral sensation BodyPartz, released under Atlantic Records’ Bad Realm Records venture. The track earned gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America in 2024.

Another popular track, All Eyez on Me, gained traction on TikTok after its 2020 release. Hailing from the underground rap scene, Luci4 was considered a pioneer of the niche online genre sigilkore.

His latest single, Sleeve, was released on Spotify on February 3, 2026, and he had been actively uploading new tracks on SoundCloud, including one on February 15, shortly before his death.

Luci4’s untimely passing has left fans and the music community in shock, as they await further updates from authorities regarding the circumstances of his death.