Patrick "Pakelika" Cochrun, the former masked member of Placentia-bred hip-hop hybrid Kottonmouth Kings, died on Saturday night after succumbing to cardiac arrest during an asthma attack.
The band, lead by Brad "Daddy X" Xavier, first posted on Facebook that the former hype man was admitted to the hospital because of "serious health issues." They updated their status to confirm his passing about an hour later. Though he'd left the group in 2010 due to internal conflicts and to pursue of his acting career, the self-proclaimed "Visual Assassin" was an integral part of the group's rise to stoner rap notoriety through their live shows. At 6'7" tall, he was a towering presence on stage with a goofy gangsta persona and encyclopedic pot knowledge.
According to a statement from Cochrun's manager Doug Cosgro, the performer battled asthma for many years.
After leaving the group, Pakelika, aka "Big Pak", started a new group called Middle Class Casualties.
Among the outpouring of messages from fans and KMK members, the band published this note on their blog yesterday:
Kings and Kweens,
We are out on the Mile high tour preparing for the release of "Mile High" this Tuesday-At such a exciting time for the Group. We were blindsided, shocked and saddened by the terrible news about former member & friend, Pakelika's sudden death. Nothing prepares you for such news. It is another example of how precious life really is. It has been a couple years since Big Pak performed with the Kings, but his presence and impact will be felt and live forever. Patrick "Pakelika" Cochrun was a very unique and special person. He is a man that had convictions and honor. We had traveled the world together and played hundreds of shows together. The memories and experiences we had together will live forever in our hearts and souls. We want to thank the underground for the tremendous outpouring of grief and support.Take care of yourselves and spread love and positive vibrations..Rest in peace Big Pak you will be missed! - Kmk
If you're not too busy to take a slice out of your day to take a bong rip in Big Pak's honor, we suggest you do so. In case you're wondering how the big, lanky street hustler with gold chains and a burn patient's mask managed to join the carnival of KMK, take a look at this video and witness one of the greatest stories ever told.
Here's hoping that he's already begun to R.I.P.---his bong in heaven.
MY RESPONSE: So fucking shitty to hear this, it's sad to look at his last few tweets, he was so happy about everything, he was doing music, and he was geeked that the Lakers got Dwight Howard, he wasn't ready to go. it's really sad. I'll never forget the first time I saw the Kings live in 1998, Pakelika was the first thing I noticed, he kept everyone glued to the stage, I swear he was the main attraction for an unknown group at the time, and I really think they wouldn't have been as big as they are without him.
Why he hasn't been with the group since 2009 is beyond me, it has made me STOP going to KMK shows, I can't go see them without Pakelika. It just wasn't right. When I met him in 2004 at an instore, I asked him when he was gonna hit the stage and do his music, he said 'hopefully soon'. Makes me wonder why Subnoize held him back.
He has 2 records out, I'll post them both up here in his memory, NOW GO BLAZE ONE FOR BIG PAK!!! REST IN PEACE
Damn dude, that is horrible news. I would love to hear his music, I never knew he left the group, or put music out on his own. Such sad news. Rest In Paradise, Big Pak!! (by the way, that picture you got of him is AWESOME)
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