Sharon Benjamin Hodo, the mother of rapper/actor Andre “3000” Benjamin, one half of legendary hip hop duo Outkast, has passed away. Sources say she was found dead in her Georgia home Tuesday.
A representative for the Outkast rapper has confirmed to Billboard that Sharon Benjamin-Hodo has passed away. The cause of her death has not yet been revealed.
Details have been slow to develop, but several people within the music industry, including fellow Dungeon Family member Big Gipp of Goodie Mob, have tweeted their condolences.
My Condolences And LOVE GO OUT TO 3000 …WE ALL LOVED YOUR MOTHER MISS B..God got her NOW!!#DUNGEONFAMILY… Gipp
— GippGoodie…Zagga (@GippGoodie) May 28, 2013
I just received a very disturbing phone call that Lady Sharon Benjamin Hodo passed away moments ago in her sleep.
— Jamil V. Willis (@JAMILVWILLIS) May 28, 2013
She is the wife of Pastor Robert Hodo… As destiny would have it She is also the mother of Andre Benjamin (Andre 3000) of OutKast.
— Jamil V. Willis (@JAMILVWILLIS) May 28, 2013
Hodo was the founder of The Starlight Camp for underprivileged children and she ran her foundation out of the New Morning Light Missionary Baptist Church in Conley, GA, where her husband, Pastor Robert Hodo served as the pastor.
Our thoughts and prayers to the Benjamin family.