Perth rapper (Robert) Hunter passed away early yesterday morning after a two year battle with cancer.

The thirty-six year old rap vet was a founding member of the Syllabolix (SBX) crew, which spawned the likes of Downsyde, Dazastah, Layla and Drapht. Diagnosed with cancer in November 2009, Hunter passed away in Murdoch hospice early Thursday morning. Two days earlier he had tweeted: "There will be no pearls of wisdom today or tommorow. They are gathering my next if [sic] kin."

Hunter released four albums and an EP throughout his career, including this year's collaboration with Mortar (aka Roy Mortimer), Fear and Loathing. Hunter was also on the brink of completing a benefit compilation for youth cancer organisation CanTeen, the seeds of which he described on his blog in July:

"One night I was kicking it with The Master and DJ Vame in a motel room in Ballarat. We were touring to promote Vame and I’s album ‘Monster House’, and I was whinging about having cancer. Vame said to me something like, “well why don’t you do something positive, like an album for charity or something” and Bang! It was in my head!

On return to Perth a few weeks later, I hooked up with Dazastah, and asked him if he would help me put together an album for charity, and he of course was down, Coz he’s nice like that right! We decided CanTeen would be the perfect beneficiaries, coz young people shouldn’t be going though chemo and treatment, they should be out there having fun like we used to do! I then contacted some of my friends in the industry, and asked them if they would like to be involved, and a lot of them said yes!"

The record pulled together such hip-hop alumni as Dazastah, Drapht, Chase, Reason, Layla and Hilltop Hoods, that latter of whom recently appeared with Hunter on stage at the local launch of Fear and Loathing in August. The day before he passed away he described the launch night on his blog:

"Our support acts, Dazastah and Layla put on a bloody brilliant display of mic destruction, as they are known to do throughout the land! and the greatest surprise of the night was Hilltop Hoods jumping up and performing the song ‘Bat Country’ with Mortar, myself, Layla and Graphic! You can imagine this bought the absolute house crumbling down! They the stuck around to perform the song ‘Dumb Enough’ which they dedicated to me! this led to backstage battles galore, that went on for days and days! But it was was all good fun, an the have agreed to comeback to WA for The Big Day Out and what ever else they are booked for, but they will be on they’re very best behaviour, and I get the feeling battles will continue to be a part of Hunter and Hilltop relationship…"

Here's Hunter discussing the CanTeen project with the Hilltop Hoods recently:




Since Hunter's diagnosis a film crew had been documenting Hunter's life. Here's a teaser:



The hip-hop community was in mourning yesterday:

Drapht: "On behalf of SBX, we regret to inform you all we lost a brother this morning. @HunterSBX, we love you & we're glad you're no longer in pain."

Optamus: "R.I.P one of my best mates Hunter - 36 years wasn't long enough. Your a king and will always remain one. May he never be forgotten!"

Hilltop Hoods: "Rest in Peace @HunterSBX. We love you brother. My heart is broken."

Ozibatla: "Farewell @HunterSBX see you on the other side"

Urthboy: "I'm heartbroken that this tweet will never get to @HunterSBX - what a fighter. So much respect for the guy. Deepest condolences to fam. RIP"

Mantra: "So saddened by the loss of @HunterSBX. RIP brother, we'll miss you. My thoughts with his family, friends and the whole of SBX. Big love."

And:

Optamus: "Hey crew here is an unreleased track that Hunter I recorded at my lab, I thought that people deserved to hear it.."