Jewell Caples, known as “The First Lady of Death Row Records,” dead at 53

Jewell Caples, a rhythm and blues singer who worked with Tupac Shakur, Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre, died Friday, her manager said. She was 53.

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An official cause of death has not been released.

Caples, dubbed “The First Lady of Death Row Records,” died around 5 a.m., Reggie Wright Jr., the former head of Death Row security, told Vibe, which was the first outlet to report the singer’s death. Caples’ manager, Timothy Beal, confirmed Caples’ death in a statement to Entertainment Tonight on Saturday.

“Jewell was a very special woman with a big heart. She had been a guest at my wedding back on Feb. 12 of this year,” Beal told the entertainment website. “We shared many many spiritual conversations. She had transformed her life from hardcore gangsta rap to faith-based gospel singer and songwriter.

“We have been working diligently on her comeback, we wish we could have seen her make her big comeback. I will personally miss her a great deal. Goodbye to a great great friend and a very loving woman. RIP to her, gone but not forgotten. Her spirit will live on through her music for generations to come. Rest In Peace and Power.”

Caples’ death comes two months after she was hospitalized after doctors found “eight pounds of fluid on my heart, lungs, and legs,” the singer wrote in an Instagram post.

The Chicago native appeared with Dr. Dre on his album, “The Chronic,” and with Snoop Dogg on “Doggystyle,” Entertainment Weekly reported. She also sang on Tupac’s album, “All Eyez on Me” on the song “Thug Passion,” Vibe reported. Before that, she sang vocals with rap pioneers N.W.A.

Her solo career began after she signed with Death Row Records in 1992.

She is best known for her 1995 hit, a cover of Shirley Brown’s “Woman to Woman,” which climbed to No. 72 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 16 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop list, People reported. Her “Woman to Woman” music video featured actress Regina King, Entertainment Weekly reported. Caples also appeared on the “Deep Cover” and “Above the Rim” soundtracks, according to the entertainment website.

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