Tributes are pouring in for New Zealand hip-hop artist Louie Knuxx, real name Todd Williams, who died of a heart attack, in Melbourne on Friday morning. He was 42 years old.

He was running on a treadmill in his home gym when he died, his family said.

His longtime friend, writer and artist Dominic Hoey, said Williams’ death was made all the more tragic by the fact that he had recently fallen in love and was financially secure for the premiere. times of his life.

Williams began his musical journey with New Plymouth hip-hop group Dirtbag District before moving on to the Breakin Wreckwordz label and then becoming part of the artist collective Young, Gifted and Broke.

In addition to being successful in the music community, he has also been instrumental in supporting troubled youth in New Zealand and Australia.

He started working with young people after some encouragement from Hoey, and although he was reluctant at first, Hoey said he went about it like a duck in the water.

“The way he was with the kids was something else. It wouldn’t matter if one of the kids was really into the crime, or considered high risk, or if someone was really sensitive and didn’t speak, it didn’t matter, it didn’t matter. would make them feel so safe, ”Hoey mentioned.