When he wasn’t touring Asia, Europe, or across the U.S., Derrick “Aesop” McElroy was busy making a name for himself and for the city he called home — Fresno.

McElroy — known for his time with hip-hop supergroup Living Legends under the name Aesop, Black Aesop, and the Black Wolf — died at age 51 due to unknown causes, it was announced Monday.

The group, widely known among independent hip-hop circles, created a cultural phenomenon.

In spite of that success, McElroy elevated other Fresno artists, rapper Fashawn said, something not common in the music industry.

“Aesop was everyone’s big bro, he was a father figure. Just an inspiration to all the creatives out here — just to see what he did in the span of time that he was out there, he inspired all of us,” Fashawn told GV Wire.

McElroy Pr

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