Q-Tip, Lupe Fiasco, Questlove & More Mourn Death Of Saxophonist Casey Benjamin

Q-Tip, Lupe Fiasco, Questlove and many more are mourning the death of saxophonist Casey Benjamin.

Benjamin passed away on March 30 at the age of 45. His brother, Kevin, revealed that his cause of death was pulmonary thromboembolism.

In a statement shared on social media last week, Benjamin’s family said: “It is with the deepest sorrow that the Benjamin family shares the heartbreaking news of the passing of Casey Benjamin. Casey was recovering from a recent surgery, and we are still gathering all the facts.

“We have been deeply touched by the outpouring of love and support from family, friends, and Casey’s esteemed music community. Casey stayed true to the art of his music, and the energy of his spirit will live on in eternity.

“We are committed to continuing Casey’s legacy.”

Casey Benjamin is best known as an original member of The Robert Glasper Experiment and has collaborated with the celebrated pianist since the 1990s.

The pair won two Grammys together, with the first coming in 2013 for Glasper’s Black Radio, which was named Best R&B Album. Glasper’s song “Jesus Children” then won Best Traditional R&B Performance two years later.

Glasper paid tribute to Benjamin following news of his death, telling Rolling Stone: “He was the epitome of what it means to be unique and one of a kind. The true meaning of a genius at his craft. There is no Robert Glasper Experiment without him. The world lost a giant, and I lost a brother.”

Benjamin also worked with A Tribe Called Quest on their final album We Got It From Here… Thank You 4 Your Service, and Q-Tip posted a picture of the two of them along with the caption: “Circa. Infinite.”

Lupe Fiasco, a frequent collaborator of Glasper and Benjamin, also paid tribute on X, writing: “Rest In Peace Casey Benjamin. A masterpiece of a person.”

Questlove penned a lengthy tribute to the saxophonist alongside a clip of him performing with the Robert Glasper Experiment.

“It’s to say goodbye to the great Casey Benjamin. Seriously…..damn near every member of this squad was a god in their own right and I considered #CaseyBenjamin the Horace Grant of the squad,” he said.

“His presence allowed Glasper the space to do what I think Glasper does best which is paint colors that otherwise would be a task had Glasper had the job of leading the mission with just one keyboard. It was always my dream to work with Casey whose vocoder work & sax work was just friggin otherworldly.”

The Roots drummer added: “I know I bitch about the state of music we’re in with snide remarks but I also love giving credit to where it is due. Just sad to give another bouquet of flowers to a talented gracious amazing creative soul and human being who left the plane before I got to record in the studio with him or before I got a chance to tell him just one more time how mind blowing his work was. Rest In Melody Casey.”

Derrick Hodge, who worked with Benjamin as part of the Robert Glasper Experiment, said in his own tribute: “Tonight, I honor a brother. A true brother and friend. Casey Benjamin, thank you for inspiring me, for being a light in my life, and for your unbelievable influence on the music world.

“I will carry your smile with me, brother. And we will collectively honor and carry your legacy with us. Can’t get my words together at this moment but will echo a few of my last words to you: I’m thankful for you and love you always! Rest well, King.”

HipHopDX sends its condolences to Casey Benjamin’s family, friends and fans.