Controversial YouTube character Kevin Samuels has reportedly died, sparking an outpouring of backlash on social media.
News first broke that the self-proclaimed image consultant had died aged 56 on Thursday evening (May 5). According to an NBC News report on Friday, May 6, Samuels’ mother confirmed reports of his death, which she said she first heard about online. The news of the death went viral on social media and even prompted a reaction from some members of the hip-hop community.
“RIP Kevin Samuels,” said Pierre “P” Thomas, CEO of Quality Control Music, on Twitter.
“Very disturbing to read all the bad comments regarding Kevin Samuels and his passing,” Gangsta Boo posted among a series of tweets. “Mfs was really mad at him for having his own perspective and his own opinions which in some cases were accurate. You are pathetic for that.”
Kevin Samuels has gained notoriety in recent years for his shameless consultation videos on YouTube that many people saw as attacks on black women. He routinely chastised women who came to his channel, which has more than 1.4 million subscribers, for their lifestyle choices, frequently sparking outrage online.
According to Constitution of the Atlanta newspaper, Atlanta police responded to a call for an injured person at an apartment near East Paces Ferry Road NE Thursday morning. First responders administered CPR to an unconscious man who was later identified as Samuels. He was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead. A woman at the residence reportedly told police that Samuels complained of chest pains before he collapsed.
XXL contacted the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office for comment.
See more reactions from the hip-hop community on Kevin Samuels’ passing below.
