Beyoncé, Drake Producer Sidney “Omen” Brown Dead At 49

Sidney “Omen” Brown, the producer behind hits by Lil Wayne, Drake and Beyoncé, has died at age 49. The NYC medical examiner has yet to perform an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

According to TMZ, Brown’s mother confirmed that his body was found by a relative inside his Harlem apartment on Saturday after his coworkers contacted his family when he did not show up for his shift. The New York City bar where he worked also announced his death. Barawine Harlem, a wine bar he worked at for more than a decade, wrote a statement and posted it on Instagram following the news. 

“It is with shock and deep sadness we have heard about the passing of our dear friend Omen Sidney Brown,” it reads. “Omen was part of Barawine's team for over a decade bringing his unique talent to all. There are not enough words to express our feelings. Our thoughts and prayers go to his family, his friends and all who love him.”

After beginning his career in the late 1990s, Omen got his breakthrough in 2006 when he produced Ludacris’ track “Tell It Like It Is” on the rapper’s album, Release Therapy. The project won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album in 2007.

Throughout his career, Brown worked with a wide array of names: stars like Drake, Beyonce, Lil Wayne, Redman, Fabolous, Action Bronson, and Memphis Bleek.