What happened with Kottonmouth Kings?

Kottonmouth Kings rapper Saint Dog, whose real name is Steven Thronson, has died. He was 44.

His management confirmed his passing on social media Wednesday, noting he died the previous day.

“Rest In Peace, Rest In Power to a true underground legend,” the statement read. “Saint Dog a k a Saint Vicious passed away yesterday in Southern California. Saint was a unique individual that had a profound impact on anyone he came in contact with. While Saint is no longer with us, his music will live on forever. Rest easy, King.”

Thronson was reportedly found dead at a friend’s house in Victorville, California, according to TMZ, citing law enforcement sources. The report said a friend found him struggling to breathe in a bedroom early Wednesday morning.

No cause of death was given, but there were no signs of foul play, TMZ reported.

Saint Dog was one of the founding members of hip-hop trio Kottonmouth Kings with D-Loc and Johnny Richter. The group’s origins are tied to Southern California in the late ’90s and they often rapped about marijuana legalization.

In 1998, Kottonmouth Kings released their first EP, aptly titled “Stoners Reeking Havoc,” and their first studio album “Royal Highness” with Capitol Records and Suburban Noize Records.

Thronson appeared on several releases with the group, his last being 1999’s “Hidden Stash,” before reuniting with Kottonmouth Kings’ founding members on the 2018 album “Kingdom Come.” He embarked on a solo career and his third and final solo album “Bozo” was released in 2019 with Suburban Noize Records and Force 5 Records.

Saint Dog, a founding member of the hip-hop collective Kottonmouth Kings, has died. He was 44.

Born Steven Michael Thronson, the rapper was found unresponsive in a friend's residence in Victorville, Calif., around midnight on Wednesday, according to a coroner's release from the San Bernardino Sheriff's Department. Emergency responders pronounced Thronson dead at 12:10 a.m.

According to TMZ, which first reported the news, Saint Dog's friend found the star struggling to breathe in a bedroom and called 911 for help. An autopsy will be performed to determine Saint Dog's cause of death, which is being investigated by the sheriff's department.

Saint Dog's management announced his passing via his Instagram page on Wednesday.

"Rest In Peace, Rest In Power to a true underground legend. Saint Dog aka Saint Vicious passed away yesterday in Southern California," his team wrote. "Saint was a unique individual that had a profound impact on anyone he came in contact with. While Saint is no longer with us, his music will live on forever. Rest easy, King."

Saint Dog founded the Kottonmouth Kings in 1996 with D-Loc, Johnny Richter, Daddy X, Lou Dog, and DJ Bobby B. The California-based group fused hip hop, punk, and rap-rock, along with other genres, and often talked about marijuana in their music.

He appeared in the band's first three projects: Stoners Reeking Havoc, Royal Highness, and Hidden Stash. Saint Dog also contributed to Mile High, Krown Power, and the group's last album, 2018's Kingdom Come.

Saint Dog also released three solo albums, with his last being 2019's Bozo. 

Many of his former bandmates paid tribute to the artist on Instagram, including D-Loc, Richter, and DJ Bobby B.

"Your memories will never fade to black and Your voice will always be with us. A true legend on the mic when he bust," D-Loc wrote. "My teacher when it came to this rapping He wrote the first songs. Bump and so high and I packed a bong. We took a trip to Hollywood and got a record deal. Beatboxing in the club flexing mad skills. Broke as a joke scraping resin no green. Big plans big dream’s just kids we started Kottonmouth King’s. Rest in peace and pay respect to the original the king of all kings. SAINT DOG"

Suburban Noize Records, an independent record label founded by Kevin Zinger and Daddy X, also honored Saint Dog.

"We will miss you and your big heart. You were one of a kind and our hearts our broken. But we promise to keep your legacy alive threw your music," the label said on Instagram. "Everyone please take some time and say a few words or tell a story about our fallen brother below. He touched so many and we will keep his legacy thriving. 🙏👑♠️ #RIPSaintDog."

Update [1/26/13 @ 1:45 PM CST]: KMK members Daddy X, The Dirtball and D-Loc, as well as the official Kottonmouth Kings FB targets of Taxman’s rant (see below), have responded to it.  They claim that Taxman is in cahoots with Sub Noize founder Kevin Zinger, who has apparently been having spats with co-founder Daddy X recently.  Check that out here:

Shit is getting crazy here.  I don’t know that we’ll post every response, but we’ll definitely keep you in the loop.

Update [1/26/13 @ 2:15 am CST]: The Kottonmouth Kings have responded to Taxman‘s rant via @Kottonmouth on Twitter.  This looks like it could get really ugly.  Here’s what they posted:

Original Update [1/26/13 @ 12:20 am CST]: So…holy shit.   It looks like the future of the Kottonmouth Kings is being put in jeopardy.  First, we’ve got Big Ian’s post about Daddy X being booted from his own label: Suburban Noize Records.  Now, a long-time staple of the entire KMK organization has spoken out about some behind-the-scenes drama with the kings.  The Taxman, who has been a part of the KMK crew since day one said he’s disgusted with what the group has turned into.  He bashed EVERYBODY in the group except Lou Dog and Johnny Richter.  Everyone else, including the newest member Dirtball, was spoken of negatively.  Here’s exactly what was said:

I decided to quit Kottonmouth Kings. I was sick and tired of all the shit talking and back stabbing that goes on in the group. Lou and richter are still the same guys as they always were and I have nothing but love for them. The other guys in KMK treat lou and richter like shit and are always threatening to kick them out of the group. Bobby, DLOC, Dirtball and Brad turned into backstabbing assholes who treat everyone including our fans like shit. I have never seen people change and turn their backs on everything they have preached and stood for. They don’t have anyone’s back except their own. They are always treating each other and everyone like shit and I’m just over it. They preach family and unity and then treat me like shit and disrespect fans. The truth is they are all about the money and don’t give a fuck about anything else. They turned their back on Pakelika and fucked him over. They have turned their back on all the people that have helped them over the years. From SRH and Sub Noize employees to other bands on the label. These guys have treated them like shit. And they turned their back on me. I put my heart and soul into building KMK. I worked as a crew member, built their sets, designed their clothes and helped with their merch and was happy to do it and still preform every night. I never got paid anything extra for any of it and got paid as a crew member. I didn’t give a fuck about the money and did it all for the movement and the fans but they treated me like shit and were thankless dicks. I still believe in the movement, it’s just not the same KMK that it was. The fans have been saying for years to get back to the roots, I wish that could have happened. I still believe in what KMK stood for at one time, but I’m not going to continue on with people who say one thing and do another.

SRH FOR LIFE THE ORIGINAL SUB NOIZE RAT

TAXMAN THE ANTIHERO

Just in case any of you doubt the legitimacy of that post, here’s a screen shot from Taxman’s Facebook:

Click the pic to enlarge!

Needless to say, this leaves a LOT up in the air about the future of the Kings, their relationship with Suburban Noize, and the members who have not yet said spoken of the situation.  We’ll bring you more as soon as we hear it.