Roots Member Died Today In a Philly Hospital!

The Roots have issued the following statement:

The Roots Family are devastated to announce the passing of

 Richard Nichols, the band’s longtime manager, after a long 

battle with leukemia . Nichols, 55, a Philadelphia native, 

managed the band from its inception in 1992, and was

instrumental in every aspect of The Roots’ creative,

cultural, and professional life over the past two decades.

Nichols is survived by his wife, Mercedes Martinez, his

 sons Amiri Nichols and Rakim Nichols, his sisters

Rochelle Nichols-Solomon, Rebecca Dennis, his brothers

 Russell Nichols and Reginald Nichols, and the many 

individuals and artists he mentored in his lifetime.

This afternoon, Richard Nichols, manager of The Roots for

 over two decades, passed away at about 3pm est.

 According to Billboard, a source close to the band

 confirmed that Ricard succumbed to a lengthy battle with

 leukemia.

The passing is also confirmed on The Roots’ website

 Okayplayer, which reports that Nichols died at 3:05 pm.

 Richard had been housed in Philadelphia hospital for

 several months prior to his death.

The acclaimed group’s former manger is noted as an A&R, 

producer, executive producer, and mixer on several Roots 

albums. The exact cause of death is unknown at this time.