Acclaimed Nova Scotia battle rapper Pat Stay was fatally stabbed in downtown Halifax early Sunday, CBC News has learned.
Halifax Regional Police have not identified Stay as the victim, but Stay’s brother, Peter Stay, confirmed the news to CBC.
Police said they were called to the 1600 block of Lower Water Street around 12:36 a.m.
Stay was taken to hospital, where he later died.
Pat Stay, right, and Real Sikh perform on stage during Drake’s Till Death Do Us Part rap battle on October 30, 2021 in Long Beach, California (Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
The Dartmouth, NS man was revered for his work on rap battles, where two rappers go head-to-head in front of an audience using a mix of bragging, insults and rhymes.
Stay had a huge following on social media and released a new song two days ago that has already amassed over 50,000 views on YouTube.
The video even includes a short quote from Canadian rapper Drake, who praises Stay.
“Pat Stay is definitely one of the best, if not the best,” he said in the video.
Halifax Regional Police blocked off the crime scene Sunday morning. (Victoria Welland/CBC)
In 2015, Stay won a rap battle hosted by the hip-hop superstar.
Police are asking anyone with information about the stabbing to call them at 902-490-5020.
Watch a 2012 CBC feature on Pat Stay:
CBC’s David Thurton introduces us to Pat Stay, a battle rapper from Nova Scotia who competes internationally.
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