21st Century Hip-Hop Bluesman Cody Burnside, R.I.P.

Jambands.com and other outlets are reporting on the death of Cody Burnside of unconfirmed causes. The grandson of North Mississippi Hill Country blues legend R.L. Burnside and brother of acclaimed drummer Cedric Burnside, Cody was the epitome of what Chris Thomas King called the "21st century hip-hop blues." A skilled rapper, Burnside appeared on the North Mississippi Allstars 2003 album Polaris as well as on John-Alex Mason's 2011 album Juke Joint Thunderclap.

With Cedric and uncle Garry Burnside, Cody helped form the Cedric Burnside Project, which mixed up blues, funk, and R&B grooves with hip-hop vocals; the band would contribute a song to Homeward Bound, the upcoming John-Alex Mason benefit album that the Burnside family was a major force in making happen. The Burnsides have been long-time friends with Jim Dickinson and his sons Luther and Cody, and Cody Burnside was a member of the Hill Country Revue with the Dickinson brothers, performing with the band at the 2004 Bonnaroo Festival and appearing on a subsequent live album. Cody was also a fixture at the annual North Mississippi Hill Country Picnic.

An up-and-coming talent with deep roots in the blues community, our thoughts go out to Cody Burnside's family, friends, and many fans.

Photo courtesy of the North Mississippi Hill Country Picnic