The Roots' Manager and Producer, Richard Nichols, Dies

Longtime manager and producer for The Roots, Richard Nichols, has died.

It was confirmed yesterday (July 17) that Nichols had lost his battle with leukemia.

The death was confirmed on Billboard and The Roots online home, website Okayplayer.

"Okayplayer is deeply saddened to confirm the news that our friend, mentor and The Roots' manager Rich Nichols passed away this afternoon at 3:05pm, after a battle with leukemia. Rich was in so many ways the guiding spirit behind the group and certainly of Okayplayer itself, a role that could never even begin to be captured by the word "manager" and even as I type it, it feels like a slight to his true legacy and-we do not use the word lightly-genius."

The group issued the following statement on Nichols' death:

"The Roots Family are devastated to announce the passing of Richard Nichols, the band's longtime manager, after a long battle with leukemia. Nichols, 55, a Philadelphia native, managed the band from its inception in 1992, and was instrumental in every aspect of The Roots' creative, cultural, and professional life over the past two decades. Nichols is survived by his wife, Mercedes Martinez, his sons Amiri Nichols and Rakim Nichols, his sisters Rochelle Nichols-Solomon, Rebecca Dennis, his brothers Russell Nichols and Reginald Nichols, and the many individuals and artists he mentored in his lifetime."

Nichols had been hospitalized in his native Philadelphia for several months and taken off life support the night before his passing.

According to the magazine's site, Nichols had managed The Roots since the early '90s. He is also credited as producer, executive producer, mixer and A&R on several Roots albums and projects by the many artists the band has collaborated with, including the likes of Jay Z, Al Green, Common, Jill Scott and Erykah Badu.

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The Roots