She was one of the first rappers to break through in the '90s: Gangsta Boo.
Now she died at the age of 43.
According to American media, her niece found the body of Lola Chantrelle Mitchell – Gangsta Boo's real name – on New Year's Day in an apartment in her hometown of Memphis.
"There are no signs of outside interference," said the police in the Tennessee city.
The gossip portal TMZ reported a possible fentanyl overdose.
However, there is no official information on Mitchell's cause of death.
The rapper became known with the rap crew Three 6 Mafia, which has shaped the sound of southern rap for decades.
Mitchell had met founding member DJ Paul at school.
He was impressed by her eloquence and asked her to join Three 6 Mafia.
She wanted – and was able to celebrate her first successes at the age of 16.
In 1995 Mitchell, DJ Paul and Juicy J, the third founding member of Three 6 Mafia, released their debut album Mystic Stylez.
Mitchell left the group in the early 2000s to pursue her solo career.
On New Year's Eve, Mitchell reportedly attended a rap concert in Memphis with several family members and even took the stage for a brief guest appearance.