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Pioneer female rapper Karryl Smith aka “Special One” of the west coast rap duo Conscious Daughters was laid to rest today in Oakland, California. She died on December 10th from unknown causes.

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Special One and her rap partner Carla Green aka CMG burst onto the rap scene in 1993 with the album Ear to the Street hitting the Billboard Top 25 R&B/Hip-Hop charts . Their single Fonky Expedition inspired young women coast to coast to pick up mics and represent for the ladies in rap.  They also gained critical acclaim with the album Gamers and Nutcracker Suite. Conscious Daughters were in the process of recording their fourth album at the time of her passing.

Her memorial service was held at First African Methodist Episcopal Church in Oakland. Many of her closest friends and family spoke openly about Special One’s commitment to others, her loyalty, ability to make people laugh and  her skill as an MC. CMG and Mystic gave deeply moving accounts of what Special One represented beyond the Hip-Hop community as a friend and mother.  You can donate  to her funeral fund at Wells Fargo Bank Account Name: Memorial Fund for Karryl Smith

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