By Kelli Dugan, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
MANHASSET, N.Y. — Kangol Kid, a member of the legendary Untouchable Force Organization, died early Saturday following a monthslong battle with colon cancer, his family confirmed in a prepared statement.
The hip-hop pioneer and breakdancer, born Shaun Shiller Fequiere, was 55.
According to his family, Kangol was diagnosed with stage four cancer in February and died peacefully at around 3 a.m. Saturday at a hospital in Manhasset, New York.
New York City promoter Van Silk told HipHopDX on Saturday that he and Kangol discussed the intricacies of a diagnosis they shared, BET reported.
“Early on, we discussed our fight with this disease because my fight with colon cancer is stage 2. He told me it had spread in October. I encourage all to get your prostate and colon checked. May my brother Kangol Rest In Heaven,” Silk stated in an email to the entertainment news site.
The four-member UTFO is best remembered for 1980s hits, including “Roxanne, Roxanne” and “Ya Cold Wanna Be With Me.”
Meanwhile, in 1985, Kangol wrote and composed for Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam’s debut album Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam with Full Force. The LP is best known for the lead tracks, “I Wonder If I Take You Home,” “All Cried Out,” and “Can You Feel the Beat,” according to BET.
Kangol Kid CHICAGO - JUNE 1988: Rappers Doctor Ice, Kangol Kid and Educated Rapper of U.T.F.O. performs at the Regal Theater in Chicago, Illinois in June 1988. (Photo By Raymond Boyd/Getty Images) (Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)
Kangol Kid Kangol Kid performs at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill on Aug. 21, 2009, in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage) (Johnny Nunez/WireImage via Getty Images)
Kangol Kid NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 29: (L-R) Kangol Kid and Tek attend the Juice Crew Reunion Concert at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill on December 29, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage) (Johnny Nunez/WireImage via Getty Images)
Kangol Kid Kangol Kid and his Sons attend Kangol Kids honors professional black mothers at Melba's Harlem on May 5, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage) (Johnny Nunez/WireImage via Getty Images)
Kangol Kid Kangol Kid, left, and radio personality Lenny Green attend Central Park SummerStage on Aug. 12, 2012, in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage) (Johnny Nunez/WireImage via Getty Images)
Kangol Kid Freedom Williams, Kangol Kid and Dana Dane attend Kangol Kids honors professional black mothers at Melba's Harlem on May 5, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage) (Johnny Nunez/WireImage via Getty Images)
Kangol Kid NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 12: (L-R) Raekwon and Kangol Kid attend the "Something From Nothing: The Art Of Rap" New York Screening at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center on June 12, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage) (Johnny Nunez/WireImage via Getty Images)
Kangol Kid (L-R) Recording artists Dana Dane, Kangol Kid, and music producer Kwame attend the House Of Hype Launch Party at House Of Hype on March 3, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage) (Johnny Nunez/WireImage via Getty Images)
Kangol Kid (L-R) Grand Daddy IU, Kangol Kid, DJ Red Alert and Drez attend Throwback Comes to Harlem Part 3 at The Apollo Theater on May 15, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage) (Johnny Nunez/WireImage via Getty Images)
Kangol Kid NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 18: Rapper Kangol Kid attends the "Black Nativity" premiere at The Apollo Theater on November 18, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage) (Jim Spellman/WireImage via Getty Images)
Kangol Kid NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 07: Kangol Kid (L) and Roxanne Shanté attend Kangol Harlem With Legendary Damon on November 7, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage) (Johnny Nunez/WireImage via Getty Images)
Kangol Kid NEW YORK - MAY 26: (L-R) Hip Hop artists Mecca aka Grimo, Kangol Kid, and music producer Will attend the Haitian remake of UTFO's "Roxanne, Roxanne" at a Private Studio on May 26, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage) (Johnny Nunez/WireImage via Getty Images)
Kangol Kid Snoop Dogg, Kangol Kid, and A.J. during Snoop Dogg and Pony Launch "Doggy Biscuitz" Shoe Line at David Z - Broadway and Houston in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/WireImage for Pony Sportswear) (Stephen Lovekin/WireImage for Pony Sportswear via Getty Images)
Kangol Kid (L-R) Hip Hop artists Mecca aka Grimo, and Kangol Kid record the Haitian remake of UTFO's Roxanne, Roxanne at a Private Studio on May 26, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage) (Johnny Nunez/WireImage via Getty Images)
Kangol Kid NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 12: (L-R) Wonder Mike and Kangol Kid attend Central Park SummerStage on August 12, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage) (Johnny Nunez/WireImage via Getty Images)
Kangol Kid NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 07: Kangol Kid (L) and Damon Peruzzi attend Kangol Harlem With Legendary Damon on November 7, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage) (Johnny Nunez/WireImage via Getty Images)
Kangol Kid NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 01: Kangol Kid and Kool Herc attend Hip-Hop photographer and documentarian Ernie Paniccioli 70th Birthday Celebration at Littlefield on March 1, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images) (Al Pereira/Getty Images)
Kangol Kid NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 13: (L-R) Kangol Kid, DJ Spinderella and DJ Scratch attend Sutra Lounge on March 13, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage) (Johnny Nunez/WireImage via Getty Images)
Kangol Kid NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 27: (L-R) Recording artist Kangol Kid and fashion expert and entrepreneur Bevy Smith attend the opening of The Mural Pavilion at Harlem Hospital Center on September 27, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage) (Johnny Nunez/WireImage via Getty Images)
Kangol Kid NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 17: (L-R) Khalil Kain and Kangol Kid attend the "Juice" 20th Anniversary Screening at the AMC Magic Johnson Harlem on January 17, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage) (Johnny Nunez/WireImage via Getty Images)
Kangol Kid NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 29: (L-R) Cutmaster Cool V and Kangol Kid attend the Juice Crew Reunion Concert at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill on December 29, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage) (Johnny Nunez/WireImage via Getty Images)
Kangol Kid NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 19: (L-R) Papoose and Kangol Kid attend B.B. King Blues Club & Grill on June 19, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage) (Johnny Nunez/WireImage via Getty Images)
Kangol Kid NEW YORK, NY - MAY 17: (L-R) Donald W. Distasio and Kangol Kid attend the 2012 American Cancer Society Pink & Black Tie Gala at Steiner Studios on May 17, 2012 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage) (Johnny Nunez/WireImage via Getty Images)
Kangol Kid CHICAGO - JANUARY 1986: Rapper Kangol Kid, deejay Mix Master Ice and rapper Doctor Ice from U.T.F.O. poses for photos backstage at the U.I.C. Pavilion in Chicago, Illinois in January 1986. (Photo By Raymond Boyd/Getty Images) (Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)
Kangol Kid CHICAGO - JUNE 1988: Rapper Kangol Kid of U.T.F.O. performs at the Regal Theater in Chicago, Illinois in June 1988. (Photo By Raymond Boyd/Getty Images) (Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)
Kangol Kid LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 26: Kangol Kid (L) and guest attend the 2016 BET Awards at Microsoft Theater on June 26, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images) (David Livingston/Getty Images)
Kangol Kid NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 25: (L-R) Paul Anthony, Kangol Kid, Bowlegged Lou, Dr. Cornel West and Kim Burrell attend Absolute Funk: An Interstellar Trip to Honor George Clinton at The Apollo Theater on October 25, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage) (Johnny Nunez/WireImage via Getty Images)
Kangol Kid NEW YORK, NY - MAY 17: Kangol Kid attends the 2012 American Cancer Society Pink & Black Tie Gala at Steiner Studios on May 17, 2012 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage) (Johnny Nunez/WireImage via Getty Images)
Kangol Kid NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 01: (L-R) K-Solo, Kangol Kid, and Grandmaster Caz attend the YO! MTV Raps 30th Anniversary Live Event at Barclays Center on June 1, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage) (Johnny Nunez/WireImage via Getty Images)
Kangol Kid NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 26: (L-R) DJ Diamond J and Kangol Kid attend Best Buy Theater on November 26, 2014, in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage) (Johnny Nunez/WireImage via Getty Images)