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The world of rap music has lost one of its own.

Pumpkinhead, an underground rapper known for battling competitors at New York City nightclubs, passed away early Tuesday morning from causes unknown.

He was 39 years old.

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"To lose such a great human being so early in his life, man. No words," Talib Kweli wrote on Instagram of the man born Robert Diaz.

"There is a fraternity of artists who were around for all of this. PH inspired us all. He will live on thru us even though his physical presence will be missed. RIP Robert Diaz."

The cause of Pumpkinhead’s death remains unclear, but he was admitted to a New Jersey hospital earlier this week for minor surgery.

Diaz was a steady presence in the underground rap scene in New York City. He also released solo studio albums in 2001, 2003 and 2005.

"Pumpkinhead was as much a soldier for hip-hop as he was an artist," long-time producer and radio host DJ Eclipse tells Rolling Stone.

"It was his presence in NYC that I’ll remember most. In the Nineties, I witnessed his come-up as a formidable opponent on the mic at many MC battles. As part of MCMI, he helped organize shows that weren’t just events, but events you did not want to miss.

"You’ll be missed my brother."