Billboard.com is reporting the sad news that Outkast rapper Andre 3000’s mother was found dead in her Georgia home earlier this week.
According to Billboard, Sharon Benjamin-Hodo was discovered at her house in Atlanta on the morning of Dre’s 38th birthday on Monday, May 27.
Though the cause of death has yet to be confirmed, sources close to the family announced that she died in her sleep.
Sharon was 62-years-old at the time of her death.
XXLMag notes that Dre’s mom was the founder of The Starlight Camp, a church organization aimed to help underprivileged children.
Mrs. Hodo also ran the learning program out of the New Morning Light Missionary Baptist Church, which is the church of her husband Pastor Roberto Hobo, in Conley, Georgia.
A rep for the rapper, born Andre Benjamin, requests that supporters give to his mother’s the Starlight Camp rather than send flowers.
Since the news broke that Benjamin-Hodo passed away, Andre 3000’s Twitter account has been flooded with condolences from friends and fans alike.
Gipp from OutKast’s Dungeon Family-affiliated Goodie Mob tweeted,
“My Condolences And LOVE GO OUT TO 3000 …WE ALL LOVED YOUR MOTHER MISS B..God got her NOW!!#DUNGEONFAMILY… Gipp”
Atlanta songwriter and producer Jermaine Dupri also took to Twitter to write:
“Andre 3000?s Mother Dies A Day After His 38th Birthday: My condolences go out to Dre,and the entire Benjamin-Hodo family.”
Hip Hop producer Patrick Douthit, better known as 9th Wonder, added:
Pray for the good brother Andre 3000 and his family…
— 9th Wonder (@9thWonderMusic) May 29, 2013
Our condolences to Andre 3000 and his family. We’ll keep you updated as more news is released.
