Keith Caesar, known to hip-hop fans as Keith Keith of the pioneering group Funky 4 + 1, died Friday due to medical complications, his family confirmed. He was 64.
The Bronx native made history in 1981 when his crew became the first hip-hop act to perform on Saturday Night Live. Introduced by none other than Debbie Harry, the group took the stage on Valentine’s Day, a moment that would cement their place in music history.
Caesar was born on Feb. 15, 1962, and grew up in a household with four siblings. He lived in the Morris Heights section of the Bronx his entire life, most recently at the Frederick Houses.
His passing marks the loss of a true original. The Funky 4 + 1 were among the earliest rap groups to gain national attention, blending playful rhymes with a high-energy stage presence. Their SNL appearance came just a year after the group formed, and it opened doors for countless other hip-hop acts.
Friends and fans have taken to social media to remember Caesar, often describing him as a warm presence with a sharp wit. He is survived by his brother Kevin Caesar, who is also known in the poetry world as Caesar the Poet.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
