We barely had time to recover from Bernie Mac’s loss before the ghost of bad news struck again with Isaac Hayes now joining a growing list of 2008’s shocking deaths. The 65-year old soul legend was found unconscious next a still-running treadmill in his home. Paramedics then rushed him to the hospital and attempted to revive him. He died shortly after.

Hayes gave us so many soul-tugging gems, many of which have been sampled prominently by hip-hoppers like 2Pac (”Me Against the World”) and Jay-Z (”Can I Live”). Needless to say, the world just got a little less soulful. Sir Hayes will be sorely missed.

When smokeYYY alerted me up to the tragic news of Bernie Mac’s death this morning, I almost didn’t believe it. After doing a quick research, I noticed that no other news outlet had reported it besides the Chicago Sun-Times. So, I thought it was just another Mac Man rumor. It didn’t help that the Sun-Times website yanked the story initially, only to republish it an hour later. Reality finally set in after I saw Stella Foster, the South Side Chicago columnist who broke the news, confirm it on CNN.

This has been such a unfortunate year of deaths for many public figures that really deserve to be around for a long time. Ledger, Russert, and now Bernie Mac.

My thoughts and prayers are with the entire McCullough family. Rest in power, Bernie.

Damn, I just came home to this tragic news. Pimp C was found dead in a hotel room, according to TMZ.com.

L.A. County Fire responded to a 911 call at the Mondrian Hotel, located on trendy Sunset Strip in Hollywood. They arrived to his sixth floor hotel room to find him dead in bed.

I can’t believe Texas just lost another one this year. It’s a sad day in hip-hop.

Kanye ft Donda West - “Hey Mama” [Live on MTV]

People, please stop the madness. Hip-hop just lost a great mother and an educator, and all folks want to talk about is plastic surgery? *Smh*

The “Tupacification” begins!

Rest in peace Stack!

- Ivan

From SOHH:

While details surrounding the emcee’s murder have yet to be revealed, a representative at his label has confirmed his passing with SOHH.

Bundles, who hails from Queens, made a name for himself in New York’s mixtape circuit via collaborations with DJ Clue, Fabolous and Joe Budden. After recently signing to Jim Jones’ Byrd Gang Records, Bundles has appeared on Jones’ third album, Hustler’s P.O.M.E. (Product of My Environment) and The Dipset Xmas album.

Bundles’ untimely death has overwhelmed his friends and fans who have left their heartfelt condolences on his MySpace page.

“R.I.P. my dude. You was going hard, sad to see you got caught up like that,” said HOT 16 aka Yung 6. “I always seen the Porsche parked in front of a studio all day, everyday. It made me think I was sleepin on rap. Gone but not forgotten. Much love from the Co-Star Family.”

“R.I.P Stack. It’s a shame, you were at your peak and look what happens. Still listening to all your mixtapes,” posted Straight Out Of Brooklyn.

REST IN PEACE…