QUEENS — Hollis native Lee "Q" O'Denat, who founded the popular site WorldStarHipHop.com died Monday at 43 in San Diego, the site announced in a statement.
“Q was a brilliant businessman who championed urban culture, ultimately creating the largest hiphop website in the world,” the statement read. "But more than that, he was a devoted father and one of the nicest, most generous persons to ever grace this planet. We will miss his hearty laugh and warm spirit.”
O’Denat founded the controversial website in 2005 to post rap videos, but it soon began featuring other clips, including viral videos of fights, abuse and even sexual acts.
“WorldStarHipHop will continue in its various endeavors,” the statement added.
We ask that you remember Q in your prayers and raise a toast to the sky in his name. RIP 🙏 pic.twitter.com/ixsULQil32
— WORLDSTARHIPHOP (@WORLDSTAR) January 24, 2017
The cause of O'Denat's death was heart disease, with obesity considered a contributing factor, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Reportedly raised by a single mother, O’Denat became passionate about computers after getting a job at Circuit City when he was 14.
In recent years, The World Star Hip Hop Foundation, a philanthropic branch of the site, held several back-to-school giveaways for kids in Jamaica hoping to encourage them to stay in school, even though "Q" himself never finished high school.
He leaves behind three children.
