Adam Ramey, vocalist of American rap-metal outfit Dropout Kings, has died at the age of 32.
His bandmates confirmed the news overnight in a gutting social media post, describing him as their “brother” and the spirit that helped shape the band’s identity.
“With the heaviest hearts, we share that our brother, Adam Ramey has passed away,” they wrote. “His passion, energy, and love for music shaped Dropout Kings and touched countless lives.”
No official cause of death was shared by the band, but a GoFundMe created by Ramey’s brother-in-law, MMA fighter Jamie Varner, stated that Ramey died by suicide after a long battle with addiction. He leaves behind a wife and young son.
Ramey would have turned 33 this Saturday. His final show with Dropout Kings was at the Orpheum in Tampa back in February. The band had been gearing up for a European run with Attila this summer.
For those who followed his journey, Ramey was more than just another voice in the nu-metal revival — he was part of a scene fighting tooth and nail to keep that genre alive on its own terms. From his early days in The Bad Chapter and We The Collectors, to co-founding Dropout Kings in Phoenix in 2016, his career was all about persistence. The band’s grind was real, the energy was raw, and Ramey was at the centre of it all — all charisma and catharsis.
The band’s biggest track, Virus (with Shayley Bourget), cracked the Mainstream Rock charts, but it was AudioDope and Riot Music that showcased what they were really about. A chaotic, cathartic blend of aggression and vulnerability.
In a 2018 interview, Ramey said music became his thing after growing up without many hobbies. “I liked writing. I started playing drums and learned vocals. Then I started playing in bands. And after a lot of perseverance I’m here now.”
Good on him I say. He will be sorely missed by many.
If you need mental health support, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or chat online.
If you’re under 25, you can contact Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or chat online.
You can also contact the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 or chat online.
If you require immediate assistance, please call 000.
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