One great artist in the rapping industry in New York City passed away earlier this Tuesday to the dismay of all his friends, family, and fans. Although the full story is still unknown, other rappers and artists have paid tribute to the late rapper Pumpkinhead, real name Robert Diaz, who died at the age of 39.

The cause of his death has yet to be determined but it has been reported that Pumpkinhead was previously admitted to a New Jersey hospital before his death for a minor surgery. Pumpkinhead was famous for being a underground battle rapper passionately making music and rapping for his love of music.

And it seems like the music industry loved him back as several of his friends from the rapping world have been posting their sincere condolences towards the rapper's family as well as remembering their times together. "Just finding out I lost a great friend today. RIP Robert Diaz AKA Pumpkinhead," Talib Kweli wrote on Instagram. 

"Robert and I went to PS 282 together in Brooklyn, 4th grade. We then reconnected when he became an MC during the indie era of the late 90s. He signed to Makin Records, I signed to Rawkus. Then PH went on to reinvent himself again in the new battle rap era. He LOVED MCing and was great at it. To lose such a great human being so early in his life, man. No words. There is a fraternity of artists who were around for all of this. PH inspired us all. He will live on thru [sic] us even though his physical presence will be missed. RIP Robert Diaz," he added sharing how the two have developed a deep friendship.

Indeed Pumpkinhead was an inspiration for many rappers as he had been passionately rapping and quite well-known in the rap battle competitions, including Braggin' Rites and End of the Weak. Pumpkinhead also left his mark on the industry producing albums including 2001's The Old Testament, 2003's Beautiful Mind and 2005's Orange Moon Over Brooklyn as well as being featured on a few collaborative albums, including Immortal Technique's Revolutionary Vol. 1 and 2 and Jean Grae's The Bootleg of the Bootleg.

Pumpkinhead is a great and talented man indeed. Immortal Technique even gave a tribute to the rapper on Facebook saying, "He was one of those guys who would just freestyle in the street for hours, 20 round battles, of merciless bars, and he always had a box of CDs hustling," Immortal Technique wrote. "To say he was a legend was an understatement. PH always had jokes, man. He was never unprepared to tell you about yourself."