Jihad Pridgen, also known as Snowhadd, was the son of legendary rapper Freeway, who died in October 2020 at the age of 20. His death came as a shock to the hip-hop community and his family, who were still grieving the loss of Freeway’s daughter, Harmony, who passed away from cancer a year later. But what was the cause of Jihad Pridgen’s death? And how did he live his short life as an aspiring rapper?
Contents
Jihad Pridgen’s Rap Career
Jihad Pridgen was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to rapper Freeway, whose real name is Leslie Pridgen, and his wife. He grew up in a musical environment, as his father was signed to Jay-Z’s Roc-A-Fella label and Roc Nation label, and was known for his hits like “What We Do” and “Flipside”. Jihad Pridgen followed his father’s footsteps and decided to pursue a career in rap, using the stage name Snowhadd. He participated in several freestyle competitions across the U.S. and posted videos of his raps on his Instagram page. He also collaborated with his father on some songs, such as “All Falls Down” and “Early”. He had a loyal fan base and was working on releasing new music before his death.
Jihad Pridgen’s Death and Funeral
The details of Jihad Pridgen’s death are still unclear, as no official cause of death has been revealed so far. However, some sources have speculated that he suffered from a fatal accident, while others have claimed that he was shot and killed, according to Heavy. Freeway announced his son’s death on Instagram, sharing a picture of him and his son at his graduation ceremony. He wrote that he felt a pain like he never felt before, and prayed that Allah forgives his son for his sins and grants him the highest level of paradise. He also asked his followers to make dua (prayers) for him and his family.
Freeway held a funeral service for his son at the Masjidullah mosque in Philadelphia, where he was joined by his fellow rappers and friends, such as Beanie Sigel, Young Chris, Neef Buck, and Peedi Crakk, according to The Source. He also received condolences from Jay-Z, who sent him a bouquet of flowers with a note that read: “Thinking of you and your family during this time. With deepest sympathy, Jay and Bey.”
Jihad Pridgen’s Legacy and Impact
Jihad Pridgen’s death was a huge loss for the hip-hop community, especially for the Philadelphia rap scene, where he was regarded as a rising star. His father, Freeway, has continued to honor his son’s memory and legacy, by sharing his music and photos on social media, and by dedicating his performances and projects to him. He also revealed that his son was an organ donor, and that his decision helped save other lives, according to Heavy.
Jihad Pridgen’s life and death have also inspired other rappers and artists, who have paid tribute to him in their songs and artworks. For example, rapper Lil Mopp Top, who was Jihad Pridgen’s cousin, released a song called “Snowhadd” in his memory, where he rapped about their bond and their struggles. He also got a tattoo of Jihad Pridgen’s face on his arm, according to his Instagram page.
Jihad Pridgen, aka Snowhadd, was a talented and passionate rapper, who had a bright future ahead of him. He was also a loving son, brother, cousin, and friend, who touched many lives with his music and personality. He will be dearly missed by his family, fans, and peers, who will always remember him as a shining star.
