Claire Melendez, a woman who was featured on the cover of WWCD, the studio debut album of Griselda, has died. Westside Gunn, the co-founder of the Griselda collective, shared news of the passing of Claire Melendez, showcasing a number of photos within the process.
According to a report from Syracuse.com, Claire Melendez, also known as Claire Mel, was an unhoused woman who was known across the Buffalo, N.Y. region. While a cause of death wasn’t shared in the article, the chatter online appears to put to a hit-and-run incident.
Melendez graced the cover of WWCD (What Would Chine Gun Do), an album released in 2019 on Eminem’s Shady Records imprint that featured no samples. The production was handled by longtime Griselda cohort Daringer and Beat Butcha, using live instrumentation throughout the project.
“My fav Buffalo Kid. You’ll be Loved Forever,” Gunn wrote via Twitter with a brief collage of photos and the hashtags “#IMMORTAL” and “#RIPCLAIRE.”
My fav Buffalo Kid You’ll be Loved Forever #IMMORTAL #RIPCLAIRE pic.twitter.com/Q5J0OhhJZq
— WESTSIDEGUNN (@WESTSIDEGUNN) May 24, 2023
Melendez was referenced on the track “Connie’s Son” from Gunn’s HWH7 project with production from King JBY B. According to a Facebook post, Melendez graduated from Burgard High School in Buffalo back in 1993.
Gunn referred to Melendez as a beloved figure in interviews, and there has been an outpouring of love and respect occurring across Twitter. We’ve got those reactions listed below.
Rest in powerful peace to Claire Melendez.
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Photo: Instagram/@crackheadclaire__
1.
I just saw her yesterday a few hours before the accident. #RIPCLAIRE #griselda
— Exodus Tafari (@kingbearsadat) May 24, 2023
2.
One of the few times Claire came up to me asking for money I told her I didn’t have cash, next thing I know she’s tryna get in my back seat askin for a ride rest in peace to a Buffalo legend #RIPCLAIRE https://t.co/lYiIyJaK9y
— 1/5 of a Murder (@astncrw) May 24, 2023
3.
Long Live a Buffalo legend. It’s not often that a person can be an “institution” in a city. RIP Claire pic.twitter.com/Npe1mTEhVo
— Eyes Everywhere (@EyesEverywhere) May 24, 2023
4.
#RIPCLAIRE gonna be bumping Griselda all day in her honor
https://t.co/wWUMTDCLHN— Samuel Seaman (@SamTheBlackk) May 24, 2023
5.
Rip Claire. We went for a cruise on the west side, and I was a little nervous when people I didn’t know were approaching the car. She said, “Don’t worry, I will protect you.” Rest Well. #WestsideClaire #Buffalo pic.twitter.com/XFa2QxXYZ0
— Tammy Shaw #Loveeternal (@Tammy_Shaw) May 24, 2023
6.
A whole Hit n Run I heard #RIPClaire https://t.co/99rXmpxgpW
— Scorpi-Hoe (@Winter_S21) May 24, 2023
7.
R.I.P TO CLAIRE
LOVE ALWAYS THE WHOLE #BUFFALO NY
IYKYK SHE WAS THE TOWN SWEETHEART SAD DAY IN #BUFFALO— Niqniq (@Niqniq0784) May 24, 2023
8.
Claire was Buffalo’s favorite didn’t matter if you might have been annoyed by her or you enjoyed her but she was everything. A little piece of normalcy when it’s crazy in Buffalo. I hope she finally get her peace. RIP Mami pic.twitter.com/b3ffWgFjn4
— XxVintage-Vibes (@XxvintageVibes) May 24, 2023
9.
Very sad news for Buffalo's East side and West Side.. Everyone has a Claire story. She was everything, all rolled up into one endearing character. She will be missed. RIP Claire
— Terri Lynn (@terrilynnpufal) May 24, 2023
10.
RIP to a Buffalo Legend
Rest Easy Claire pic.twitter.com/tx6Y5LTCOB
— Jefe (@JSpenceTheKing) May 24, 2023
11.
Wish Claire could see the love she gets outside of buffalo she would of asked all of y’all for a dollar
— Camoflauge Monk (@CamoflaugeMonk) May 24, 2023
12.
Rest in peace to Claire, a Buffalo legend, who sadly passed away last night in a tragic accident.
I always looked forward to seeing Claire around town. You never knew what kind of interaction you’d have with her each time.
She will be truly missed. pic.twitter.com/1XRj5CQG8h
— pookie luco (@AlexLucoMusic) May 24, 2023
13.
Sleep peacefully mama no more struggles no more bondage you are free.#Claire#Buffalo pic.twitter.com/OTEs6OyVBV
— Maria Vincent (@mlvinc2011) May 24, 2023
14.
They know they fucked up wit this Claire situation smh Buffalo getting to wicked.
— Yung Breezy Dawn (@YungBreezyDawn1) May 24, 2023
15.
I still remember seeing Claire’s face on jimmy fallon when they had her on Griselda’s album cover. Still one of the most surreal moments of my life, a buffalo legend she will be missed!
— •$EAN-THE-GEMINI• (@SeanPhalen47) May 24, 2023
The post Claire Melendez, Featured On Griselda’s Shady Records Debut LP Cover, Has Died #RIPCLAIRE appeared first on The Latest Hip-Hop News, Music and Media | Hip-Hop Wired.