Samantha Lawrence of Wee Papa Girl Rappers Dies at 55

The pioneering British rapper, known for the 1988 hit 'Wee Rule,' passed away following a battle with secondary cancer.

Samantha Lawrence, one half of the UK hip-hop duo Wee Papa Girl Rappers, died peacefully in London on December 1 after being diagnosed with secondary cancer earlier this year.
The group, formed by Samantha and her older sister Sandra, rose to fame in the late 1980s with hits like 'Wee Rule,' which reached No. 6 on the UK singles chart.
Wee Papa Girl Rappers were celebrated for blending dancehall, reggae, and hip-hop, and were part of a wave of British female rap acts that broke into the mainstream during the 1980s.
Samantha and Sandra appeared in the 2023 BBC documentary 'First Ladies of Hip-Hop,' which highlighted their contributions to bringing authentic British hip-hop to wider audiences.
Tributes from family, fans, and collaborators, including DJ Dave Pearce, remembered Samantha as a trailblazer whose success inspired others to pursue their dreams.