Ka, a revered Brooklyn rapper and dedicated firefighter, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, October 12, at the age of 52. Born Kaseem Ryan, he was celebrated not only for his music but also for his 20-year tenure with the New York City Fire Department.
In an emotional statement shared on his Instagram, his family said, “We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Kaseem Ryan (1972-2024), known as Ka, who died unexpectedly in New York City on Oct. 12, at the age of 52. Born and raised in Brownsville, Brooklyn, Ka lived a life of service—to his city, his community, and his music.”
Ka served as a captain in the FDNY and was one of the first responders during the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center. He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy in both music and public service, having released 11 self-produced solo albums throughout his career. He is survived by his wife, film producer Mimi Valdes, as well as his mother and sister.
Ka first emerged in the underground New York rap scene in 1993 as part of the group Natural Elements, later forming the duo Nightbreed with his friend Kev. In 1999, he joined the FDNY, which led him to temporarily step away from music. However, in 2008, he rekindled his musical career, collaborating with Wu-Tang Clan member GZA on the track “Firehouse,” and releasing his solo debut, Iron Works, the same year.
Despite his growing fame in the hip-hop community, Ka maintained a low profile, producing most of his music from home while balancing his responsibilities as a firefighter. In a 2015 interview with Passion of the Weiss, he described living “two lives,” striving to fulfill his duties during the day while pursuing his passion for music at night.
His identity as a firefighter was publicly revealed in an exposé by The New York Post following the release of his critically acclaimed album Honor Killed the Samurai in 2013. Even after this revelation, Ka continued his work with the FDNY until his passing. His final album, The Thief Next to Jesus, was released in August, just two months before his death.
In a heartfelt tribute, prominent New York hip-hop producer The Alchemist remarked on social media, “I always called him a living PROPHET because that’s what he was to us… The truest man and artist I have ever been lucky enough to cross paths with.”
Mimi Valdes shared her grief on Instagram, writing, “My king, my hero, my best friend. You will always be my everything because love like ours lasts forever. Rest my beautiful husband, see you on the other side.”
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