Snoop Dogg’s younger brother Bing Worthington has died, the US rapper has said on Instagram.
Paying tribute, he posted a series of photos, including one of his sibling and their mum with the caption “bac wit momma”, while in another he said “until we meet again”.
Snoop Dogg also shared a video of himself with Worthington and others, along with a caption saying his brother “always made us laugh”.
The 44-year-old died on Thursday, said the Orange County Sheriff’s Department in California.
“The cause of death will be pending the results of the toxicology and autopsy report,” NBC News, Sky News’ US partner, said, quoting an email from Sergeant Frank Gonzalez.
Last month, the 52-year-old star’s daughter, Cori Broadus, 24, suffered a severe stroke.
Fellow celebrities have responded with condolences following Worthington’s death.
Actor and singer Tyrese Gibson said: “I’m sorry this happened….. Prayers love and light to you and your family.”
Singer Tamar Braxton said: “Sorry for all your Loss Brother.”
Worthington was a music producer, having been hired by the musician to work on high-profile projects at the rapper’s record label, NBC said.
In 2016, Worthington told Vice he “was just the road guy. I worked my way to the top,” including in the skateboard deck-maker Snoop Dogg Board Company in the mid-2000s and a foot-long hot dog start-up, Snoop Doggs.
Pic: @badabing33
He was instrumental in the setting up of Dogg Records, according to business associate and friend Miguel Lopez, who was also involved in the deal.
The label said on its website that the merged company was the result of “a relationship formed between Bing Worthington (Snoop Dogg’s brother)” and Mr Lopez.
Its aim was to “create a platform where West Coast artists meet the north and vice versa,” the website said.
Worthington had gone through “a tough time since his mom passed”, Mr Lopez told NBC.
Beverly Tate, who was also Snoop Dogg’s mother, died in 2021.
Lopez and Worthington were looking forward to launching a Latino division of Dogg Records, he said.
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Worthington “had a great heart, and the little things he did were huge things for us, like opening the doors to his family”, Lopez said.
“He’s going to be missed as a friend above all. This label has to carry on in his honour,” Lopez added.
He said Worthington is survived by a partner and an adult son.
Snoop Dogg, real name Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr, rose to fame following the success of his debut album Doggystyle in 1993, and has gone on to release various hits including Gin And Juice and Drop It Like It’s Hot.
He has also featured in a string of films such as the 2004 Starsky & Hutch remake and coming-of-age drama Baby Boy.