Snoop Dogg‘s brother, the music executive Bing Worthington Jr., has passed away at the age of 44.
The music industry professional, who passed away, was well-known for founding a record label and also for working as the tour manager for his famous brother.
Snoop Dogg’s younger brother Bing Worthington has passed away, the rapper announced on Instagram Friday.
The 44-year-old passed away on Thursday, as confirmed by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department in California, which oversees the area’s medical examiner’s office.
“The cause of death will be determined pending the results of the toxicology and autopsy report,” Sgt. Frank Gonzalez stated in an email.
Snoop had hired his brother to work on high-profile projects, and Bing had worked his way up within the rapper’s entourage to eventually become a tour manager and then the executive producer at the record label known by his nickname.
In an interview with Vice in 2016, Worthington mentioned, “I started off as the road guy. I climbed my way to the top.”
He was involved in various ventures launched under his brother’s brand, such as the skateboard deck-maker Snoop Dogg Board Company in the mid-2000s and a footlong hot dog startup named Snoop Doggs.
He combined a record label that was part of Snoop’s businesses with Quebec-based Urban Heat Legends, led by his friend Miguel Lopez, resulting in the formation of Dogg Records.
The label’s website stated that the merger was initiated by “a relationship established between Bing Worthington (Snoop Dogg’s brother)” and Lopez with the goal of “creating a platform where West Coast artists meet the North and vice versa.”
Lopez mentioned that Worthington had recently been on a family vacation in Jamaica and had been unusually out of touch. Although Worthington divided his time between California and Canada after merging their labels, they had been in contact through weekly phone calls which had recently ceased.
After the passing of their mother, Beverly Tate, in 2021, Worthington hadn’t been himself, according to Lopez.
“It’s been a difficult period for him since his mom’s passing,” Lopez expressed. “It hit him hard. They were very close.”
Worthington had executive-produced the birthday party documentary “Bigg Snoop Dogg: Raw ‘N Uncut Vol. 1,” released as a video in 2003, as listed on Hollywood database IMDb.
He also had a writing credit for the song “Tha Jump Off,” performed by Lifestyle and featured on the soundtrack of the 2006 movie “Van Wilder: The Rise of Taj,” according to the database.
Lopez and Worthington had plans to launch a Latino division of Dogg Records, and Lopez is determined to continue the label in his honor.
“He had a big heart, and the small things he did meant a lot to us, like welcoming us into his family,” Lopez reminisced. “He will be missed most as a friend. We need to keep the label going in his memory.”
Worthington is survived by a partner and an adult son.
On Friday, Snoop shared a photo of his brother on his Instagram with the caption “Bac wit momma.”
Various celebrities, including actor and singer Tyrese Gibson, offered their condolences. Tyrese said, “I’m sorry this happened….. Prayers, love, and light to you and your family.”
Singer Tamar Braxton added, “Sorry for all your Loss Brother.”