Crazy Town singer Shifty Shellshock’s cause of death revealed after tragic star found dead at home
CRAZY Town singer Shifty Shellshock’s cause of death has been revealed after the star was found dead at home.
The Los Angeles rapper, whose real name was Seth Binzer, died this week aged just 49.
The troubled star – known for hits such as Butterfly – died of an accidental overdose, according to the band’s manager Howie Hubberman.
He said: “Seth Binzer, after struggling with addiction and Crazy Town’s rapid success with Butterfly, never was able to reach out on a more successful level to deal with his addictions.”
“We all tried, but ultimately we all failed, or Shifty would still be here.”
Los Angeles Medical officials have not yet listed a cause of death for Binzer.
Binzer had been open about his struggles with drugs – appearing on VH1 shows Celebrity Rehab and Sober House.
Hubberman told People: “The cause of death was a combination of prescription drugs and street purchased drugs.
“Shifty was a friend and really wanted to get himself fixed — unfortunately no one had the exact tools to do this, myself included.”
The rapper forged Crazy Town alongside Bret Mazur and enjoyed fame in the 2000s and beyond.
Two months before he died he shared an image with the caption: “To the ones who stay even when I try my hardest to scare the away”.
The picture showed a person in a black mask staring at the camera surrounded by people in white masks looking straight on, with the message “Real is rare, fake is everywhere”.
Tributes have flowed in for the dad-of-three underneath his cryptic final post.
One friend wrote: “Rest in peace man, I hope you’re finally at peace. Thank you for the music and all our chats over the years! I’ll miss you man!”
Several people said they missed the singer, while another simply wrote: “Icon”.
Binzer and Mazur initially started a band called Brimstone Sluggers in 1995 before forming Crazy Town in 1999.
Butterfly became their most successful and notable single after reaching the Billboard Hot 100 and staying there for two weeks.
With the band’s single hitting number one in several countries, their debut album The Gift of Game sold over 1.5 million copies, though this success was short-lived.
The band broke up in 2003 after their second album Darkhorse failed to make waves upon its release in 2002.
During this time, Binzer also worked on his solo career by working with Paul Oakenfold, a British musician and producer.
Binzer provided vocals for Oakenfold’s 2002 song Starry Eyed Surprise hitting the top 10 in the UK and the top 50 in the US.
A year after Crazy Town disbanded, Binzer released his first solo album Happy Love Sick under his stage name Shifty.
Crazy Town reformed in 2007 before becoming Crazy Town X in 2017 after Mazur and other members left.
Around the same time of his post about “fake” friends, Binzer made another on Instagram where he discussed his battle with sobriety.
The rapper posted a picture of a graffiti-covered sidewalk with a love heart and some flowers.
“I’m a lover than a fighter…but the one I need to love more instead of fight with is myself,” he wrote in the caption.
“Mr Shifty true love #Sober alive and grateful.”
Several of his friends in the business referenced his struggles with addiction as they paid tribute to him.
Friend and actress Alice McMunn wrote on Instagram: “RIP. Honestly, I have been witness to his struggle over the past 10 yrs and it was one of the hardest I have ever seen.”
While producer Nikki Minton added underneath his last social media post: “I have no words for how sad this is.
“My friend for more than half my life. I’m going to miss him. Sorry to everyone who lost him.”
Pal's tribute to Shifty
SHIFT Shellshock's Crazy Town co-founder Bret Mazur paid a loving tribute to his friend after his sudden death.
Mazur posted the touching remarks on Instagram – saying the rapper would “always be cherished”.
As the other half of Crazy Town, Seth’s incredible talent and larger-than-life personality left an indelible mark on all who knew him and on the music we created together,” he wrote.
“Seth struggled with the challenges of maintaining sobriety throughout his life, a battle that he continuously fought privately and publicly. Despite the hardships, he brought immense joy and energy into the lives of those around him.
“I wish with all my heart that his story could have ended differently, but we find solace in the hope that Seth has finally found the peace he was searching for so desperately all these years.
“Our Crazy Town family and I treasure the core memories from our younger years, the highs and lows, the laughter and the lessons and each moment contributed to who we are today. Seth’s journey, marked by struggle, was also filled with moments of incredible creativity and love.
Mazur also discussed the importance of sobriety and encouraged those struggling to seek support.
“We will miss Seth more than words can express. His spirit will live on in the music we made and in the hearts of those who loved him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this incredibly difficult time,” he shared.
“Rest in peace, Seth. You will always be remembered and cherished.”
He also paired his heartbreaking caption with a few pictures of the old friends.
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