Canadian battle rapper Pat Stay was fatally stabbed early Sunday, authorities said.
Halifax regional police found a man who had been stabbed at around 12:35 a.m. in the area of the 1600 block of Lower Water Street, the agency said in a news release. The man, identified as Patrick Wayne Stay, 36, was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service determined his death to have been a homicide. No arrests have been made.
Stay, an acclaimed battle rapper, competed in some of the best-known rap leagues in North America, including King of the Dot and the Ultimate Rap League, said his former representative, Kerry Knight.
Stay leaves behind two children, Knight said.
Eminem took to Twitter to pay tribute.
"hiphop lost one of the best battlers of all time ... RIP," he wrote in a tweet that was liked over 49,000 times. "KINGS NEVER DIE."
More artists commented on Stay's Instagram posts.
"damn man doesn’t even make sense!" wrote Reginald Sergile, also known as Conceited, a battle rapper who stars on MTV's "Wild N' Out."
The Ultimate Rap League, a battle rap league based out of New York City, also mourned Stay.
"It was a pleasure to watch Pat perform," the league said in a statement posted to Twitter with a picture of Stay. "He was a legend & one of the best to ever compete. The example he left us as a human being, parent, and professional has inspired us all."
Stay's friends set up a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for his memorial services.
"Pat Stay was a very honorable man who was on his way to a bright future," the message on the GoFundMe page read. "Our heart hurts for his family and friends at this time so we hope to help ease some of the pain by ensuring his family has help through this process."
Investigators ask anyone with information about the stabbing to come forward.
