Sidney “Omen” Brown, a Grammy-winning producer who worked with artists including Drake, Beyoncé and Lil Wayne, was found dead in his East Harlem apartment on Sept. 13, city and family officials said.
Brown, 49, was discovered by a family member after employees at Barawine Harlem raised the alarm when he did not show up for a scheduled DJ shift at the W. 120th Street wine bar where he had worked for more than a decade, his sister, Nicole Iris Brown, told NBC News. His mother, Martha Brown, confirmed the death to TMZ.
The New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner said in a statement that Brown’s “cause and manner of death are pending further study.” Police did not immediately release further details. Barawine posted a statement expressing shock and condolence, saying, “It is with shock and deep sadness we have heard about the passing of our dear friend Omen Sidney Brown.”
Brown rose to prominence in the 1990s producing tracks for artists including Mýa and Fabolous and for acts associated with Roc-A-Fella Records. His work expanded through the 2000s; he produced Ludacris’s track “Tell It Like It Is” on the rapper’s 2006 album Release Therapy, a collaboration that contributed to the album’s win for Best Rap Album at the 2007 Grammy Awards.
He later co-produced Drake’s song “Shut It Down” from the Canadian rapper’s 2010 debut album Thank Me Later and produced Lil Wayne’s track “I’m Single” the same year. In 2013, Brown co-wrote and co-produced Beyoncé’s song “Mine,” which features Drake, on her self-titled album. Colleagues and family members noted his commitment to mentoring younger artists and DJs.
“He was holistic and healthy. So we don’t know of him being sick, so this is all pretty sudden,” Nicole Iris Brown said, adding that he was generous with his time helping younger people start careers in music. Co-workers and friends highlighted his long-running role at Barawine, where he DJed for more than a decade and was considered part of the venue’s core team.
Brown’s death follows a career that bridged production for radio and mainstream rap with hands-on mentoring in New York’s local music scene. The medical examiner’s office did not provide a timeline for releasing results of its study. No criminal investigation was announced by police at the time of the report.
Friends, collaborators and venues that worked with Brown issued remembrances on social media and in statements, noting his influence on both established artists and newcomers in the industry. Further details, including any public memorial plans, were not immediately available.