This is sad. Rick was a very creative songwriter and musician who helped bring funk to the forefront. He was somewhat underrated as an artist because of his battles with drugs and other things he became something of a caricature of himself (See: Chappelle, Dave). Some of the younger members on the board may not know him as well, but he was a good artist who later turned into a good producer (see Eddie Murphy, et al) and his song "Superfreak"'s famous beat is probably more recognizable to most in "U Can't Touch This" by M.C. Hammer. Such a shame, to die at such a young age. RIP Rick.