Big Scarr's cause of death revealed: Rapper, 22, passed from accidental prescription drug overdose

Publish date: 2024-10-17

As law enforcement in Memphis continue to investigate the death of Big Scarr, a family member has come forward to announce the rapper died from a drug overdose of prescription pills.

The uncle of the Memphis, Tennessee native, Arthur Woods, told TMZ that his nephew overdosed and died while at his girlfriend's house on Thursday.

Big Scarr (born Alexander Woods), who was signed to Gucci Mane's 1017 Records, is best known to most fans for the song SoIcyBoyz, which features Pooh Shiesty, Foogiano and Tay Keith, and his solo track Make A Play.

RIP: Big Scarr (born Alexander Woods) died from an accidental prescription drug overdose at his girlfriend's home in Memphis, the rapper's uncle Arthur Woods told TMZ

RIP: Big Scarr (born Alexander Woods) died from an accidental prescription drug overdose at his girlfriend's home in Memphis, the rapper's uncle Arthur Woods told TMZ

Woods went on to tell the publication that he doesn't have any idea where his nephew got the pills, and that he had experienced several traumatic situations in his young life.

It turns out the Soul Keeper MC, who was just 22-years-old, had been battling with depression, which seemed to be exasperated by the death of his beloved grandmother. 

RELATED ARTICLES

Share this article

Share 2.4k shares

Plus, his uncle said he nearly died after being shot in 2020 when the bullet traveled up his spine, which resulted in surgery to remove his appendix.

On top of that, the rapper suffered serious injuries related to a nasty car crash when he was thrown through a windshield. The scar that was left on his body ended up being the inspiration for his stage name, Big Scarr. 

Gone too soon: Big Scarr (born Alexander Woods), who was signed to Gucci Mane's 1017 Records, is best known to most fans for the song SoIcyBoyz and his solo tun Make A Play; he's pictured in an Instagram photo posted on May 28

Gone too soon: Big Scarr (born Alexander Woods), who was signed to Gucci Mane's 1017 Records, is best known to most fans for the song SoIcyBoyz and his solo tun Make A Play; he's pictured in an Instagram photo posted on May 28

'This hurts': The rapper's passing was confirmed by rapper Gucci Mane, who signed Scarr to his record label 1017 Records in 2020

'This hurts': The rapper's passing was confirmed by rapper Gucci Mane, who signed Scarr to his record label 1017 Records in 2020

The uncle made a point of sharing that his nephew was a nice young man and a beautiful person who was very passionate about music.

The Shaderoom was among the first publications to report the rapper's death on Thursday, which was then confirmed by rapper and 1017 Records owner Gucci Mane.

'This hurt,' Gucci (born Radric Delantic Davis) wrote underneath a carousel of snaps that featured Big Scarr, adding, 'I'm a miss you @bigscarr.' 

In one of the Grim Reaper rapper's more recent Instagram posts, he shared his enthusiasm about going on tour next year with Key Glock, who's also a Memphis native, as part of the Glockoma Tour 2023.

'BIGGEST TOUR OF 2023 ! Special guest myself BIG SCARR,' he wrote on Instagram when announcing tickets were going on sale in a December 7 post.

Personal demons: Woods says his nephew had been battling with depression during his short life; the Memphis, Tennessee native is seen during a live performance on October 17

Personal demons: Woods says his nephew had been battling with depression during his short life; the Memphis, Tennessee native is seen during a live performance on October 17

Tributes: Jamaican-American podcaster and YouTuber DJ Akademiks, 31, was among the many people to take to social media to share a tribute to the fallen rapper

Tributes: Jamaican-American podcaster and YouTuber DJ Akademiks, 31, was among the many people to take to social media to share a tribute to the fallen rapper

Grieving: Scarr's fellow 1017 label mate, Enchanting, shared a photo of the rapper writing, 'My babbbyyy my best friend my son I love you forever & im so sorry'

Grieving: Scarr's fellow 1017 label mate, Enchanting, shared a photo of the rapper writing, 'My babbbyyy my best friend my son I love you forever & im so sorry' 

Upon learning the sad news of his passing, Key Glock (born Markeyvius LaShun Cathey) took to Twitter and shared, 'This s**t wicked wtf bruh!!!' along with a broken heart emoji. 

After the news began circulating online, Jamaican-American podcaster and YouTuber DJ Akademiks, 31, posted a tribute on Twitter, writing, 'RIP Big Scarr.' 

Scarr's fellow 1017 label mate, Enchanting, also seemed to confirm the news on her Instagram Story, writing, 'Ion wanna talk. Sorry if I don't answer. I just can't,' along with a broken heart emoji.

She also shared a photo of the rapper, writing, 'My babbbyyy my best friend my son I love you forever & im so sorry,' along with a broken heart emoji. 

The message was followed up with a clip of the two hugging: 'I'll do anything to hug you one more time.' 

Renni Rucci also shared a tribute, writing 'Damn Scarr' with a sad face emoji. 

Emotional: Enchanting followed up by posting a clip of the two hugging, writing, 'I'll do anything to hug you one more time'

Emotional: Enchanting followed up by posting a clip of the two hugging, writing, 'I'll do anything to hug you one more time'

More tributes: Rapper Key Glock took to Twitter writing, 'This s**t wicked wtf bruh!!!' along with a broken heart emoji

More tributes: Rapper Key Glock took to Twitter writing, 'This s**t wicked wtf bruh!!!' along with a broken heart emoji

Heartbroken: Renni Rucci  shared a tribute, writing 'Damn Scarr' with a sad face emoji

Heartbroken: Renni Rucci  shared a tribute, writing 'Damn Scarr' with a sad face emoji 

Born April 7, 2000, Big Scarr grew up in the Magnolia community of South Memphis. 

He started his rap career in 2019, with the release of the song Make A Play, which quickly garnered popularity on YouTube.

Sensing he was an up-and-coming rapper, Gucci Mane ended up signing Scarr to his record label in 2020. 

The following year, Scarr dropped his mixtape, Grim Reaper, which peaked at number 25 on the Billboard 200, selling 22,000 copies in its first week in April 2021. The mixtape included appearances by rappers Gucci Mane, Pooh Shiesty, Foogiano, Tay Keith, Enchanting, and Baby K.

Earlier this year, he dropped a deluxe edition, Big Grim Reaper: The Return, that featured appearances by Offset, Queez Ruthless and Gucci.

Scarr's death comes after the killings of two other Memphis rappers, Young Dolph and Snootie Wild. Young Dolph was killed in November 2021 while in Memphis, while Snootie Wild was shot in February while in Houston.

While law enforcement sources are continuing with the investigation into Scarr's death, a source did confirm to TMZ that there were no signs of foul play.

Up-and-coming rapper: Born April 7, 2000, Big Scarr grew up in South Memphis and kick-started his rap career in 2019, eventually signing by Gucci Mane's label in 2020; Scarr (left) is pictured with Gucci (front and center) in 2021

Up-and-coming rapper: Born April 7, 2000, Big Scarr grew up in South Memphis and kick-started his rap career in 2019, eventually signing by Gucci Mane's label in 2020; Scarr (left) is pictured with Gucci (front and center) in 2021

Big year ahead: The rapper was poised for a big year ahead, which included a guest spot on the upcoming Glockoma Tour 2023 with Key Glock; Scarr is pictured in Atlanta in May 2021

Big year ahead: The rapper was poised for a big year ahead, which included a guest spot on the upcoming Glockoma Tour 2023 with Key Glock; Scarr is pictured in Atlanta in May 2021 

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pa3IpbCmmZmhe6S7ja6iaKymqLWww8GisWiZoqm2pLjEZmhqbWdmfXJ9jnugoGWDmK6zvtJmmpqto5p6pbHArZ9mqpWrsqK4xJ1ki5mgpbKzeZFrZKmZo6iypXnAnJqinJWjwaK4jKmpnquTp7axwMiopWacoqq0brvVnqmdp6Oae6nAzKU%3D