Shifty Shellshock, vocalist of the band Crazy Town who achieved fame in 1999 with the song “Butterfly”, died at the age of 49 in the city of Los Angeles, Variety reported this Tuesday.
Shellshock, born Seth Brooks Binzer, died at his residence on Monday. So far, local authorities have not specified the causes behind his death.
Shifty grew up in an artistic environment, surrounded by the vibrant music culture of Los Angeles. From a young age, he showed a great interest in music and poetry, which led him to develop a unique style of rapping and singing.
In 1995, together with Bret Mazur, known as Epic Mazur, he formed Crazy Town. The band was noted for fusing elements of rock, rap and hip-hop, creating a distinctive sound that quickly captured the attention of the public.
Crazy Town’s biggest success came with the release of their debut album, “The Gift of Game”, in 1999.
The single “Butterfly”, which samples the song “Pretty Little Ditty” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, became an international hit, reaching number one on the charts in several countries and establishing Crazy Town as a prominent band in the rap rock scene.
Despite the success, Shifty Shellshock’s life was marked by personal struggles, including addiction issues. Over the years, he was open about his battle with drugs, which influenced his music and lyrics. In 2004, he released a solo album titled “Happy Love Sick”, which showed a more personal and vulnerable side of his art.
In addition to his music career, Shifty has appeared on several reality television shows, including “Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew” and “Sober House,” where he documented his recovery process. Despite his challenges, he continued to pursue his passion for music.
In 2013, Crazy Town reformed and released the album “The Brimstone Sluggers” in 2015, marking a return to their musical roots. Shifty Shellshock has continued to work on musical projects and collaborations, demonstrating his resilience and dedication to music.
