Brother Marquis, former member of legendary rap group 2 Live Crew, has died, according to US media reports.

A cause of death was not disclosed. He was 58.

Marquis, whose real name was Mark Ross, joined the Miami-based hip-hop group in the 1980s and was a key member alongside leader Luke, Fresh Kid Ice and Mr Mixx.

2 Live Crew members (from left) Fresh Kid Ice, Brother Marquis and Uncle Luke.

2 Live Crew enjoyed stardom in the late 1980s to early 1990s with explicit content that triggered a free-speech battle in federal court. Their album Banned in the USA was the first record to bear the infamous black and white Parental Advisory label.

Fresh Kid Ice passed away in 2017.

Luke, whose father was Jamaican, expressed sorrow over the passing of his former bandmate and said the two had recently reconnected.

READ: 50 in hip hop with Jamaican roots

“My condolence goes out to the family of Brother Marquis and so many of his fans from around the world after learning his passing,” Luke, whose real name is Luther Campbell, wrote on X.

“We took on so many fights for the culture, made great music together something I would never forget. We had recently got back together to take on another fight to get back our catalog that was stolen from us,” he continued. “We will continue that fight in his name for his family. The Brother Marquis that I know would want us to celebrate his life that’s exactly what I’m gonna do. R.I.P My Brother.”

Among 2 Live Crew’s most known hits are Me So Horny and Banned in the USA.