Pat Stay, acclaimed battle rapper, identified as victim of fatal Halifax stabbing
Richard Woodbury | CBC News | Posted: September 4, 2022 10:52 AM | Last Updated: September 5, 2022
Stay was revered for his work in competitions where rappers use a clever mix of boasts, insults and rhymes
Acclaimed Nova Scotia battle rapper Pat Stay was the victim of a fatal stabbing in downtown Halifax early Sunday.
Halifax Regional Police say an autopsy has determined he was the victim of a homicide.
Police said they were called to the 1600 block of Lower Water Street around 12:36 a.m. AT.
Stay was taken to hospital, where he later died.
Halifax Regional Police spokesperson Const. John MacLeod did not have any information about what led up to the stabbing or whether there were any witnesses.
The Dartmouth, N.S., man was revered for his work in rap battles, where two rappers confront each other in front of an audience using a mixture of boasts, insults and rhymes.
Stay had a large social media following and put out a new track two days ago that has already amassed more than 50,000 views on YouTube.
The video includes a brief quote from Canadian rapper Drake, who praises Stay.
"Pat Stay's definitely one of, if not, the best," he said in the video. On social media, Drake marked his death and called him "one of my fav rappers ever."
A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to raise money for Stay's partner and two children. As of Monday, the campaign surpassed $125,000.
Police are asking anyone with information about the stabbing to call them at 902-490-5020.
Watch a 2012 CBC feature on Pat Stay:
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