#RIPHHP: Family and friends speak on Jabba's passing

As the nation wakes up to the reality of another day without HHP, Jabba's family and close friends have come out to express their heartbreak at the loss of their loved one.

In a statement released by HHP's family, it confirmed that the rapper had passed on at his home in the North of Johannesburg.

The statement read:

 "It is with heavy hearts that we confirm that Jabulani Tsambo, known to his fans as Hip Hop Pantsula passed away today, Wednesday, 24 October 2018.

"At the time of his passing, he was 38 years old. He is survived by his wife, his parents, two sisters, his son and nephew."

Since the news of his passing, messages of condolences have been trickling in from all corners of the country.

His close friend and a rapper Slikour spoke of how reluctant he was to do another of his famous balcony interviews with HHP earlier on in the year but he was glad he did it.

"I was reluctant to do a Jabba Balcony because I did one earlier this year, plus I knew he dropped an EP and was about to drop a full album early next year which, would mean three. I did it anyway and clearly, it was meant for us to talk one last time. RIP my Friend." #RIPHHP

Speaking to Power FM both DJ Cleo and Slikour expressed how heartbroken they are of their friend's sudden passing.

 "Him and I were just touching up on things that have been happening, we were supposed to be linking up but sadly that meeting won't happen again and I'm very sad to have lost a friend," said Cleo.

Whilst Slikour expressed that he learned a lot from the fellow rapper and close friend.

"We were brothers you know, we came up together, we were really the first rap commercial success," Said Slikour

Slikour featured on HHP's "On My Own" remix back in 2006 when Jabba had released his earliest work from his album - Omang Reloaded.

HHP's wife - Lerato Sengadi this morning posted a throwback picture of herself and Jabba. 

Upon hearing the news of his death, rappers such as the likes of Rouge kept Lerato in their thoughts on this difficult time in their lives.

Details surrounding how HHP passed on are still unknown, however, according to the Sowetan Live, it is reported that the rapper had allegedly taken his own life. Sowetan Live has reported that Jabba's lifeless body was found in his bedroom by his helper.

Sowetan Live tweeted this image last night of Jabba's apparent last words before he passed on.

Rest In Peace Jabba.

Main image credit: Instagram/@Jabbaman_1