Adam Ramey, the main vocalist and founding member of Dropout Kings, died after a “long and painful battle with addiction” on Monday.
He was 31 years old.
Ramey committed suicide just five days before he was set to celebrate his 32nd birthday, according to a GoFundMe page set up by Ramey’s sister-in-law.
“Adam wasn’t just my brother-in-law,” Jamie Varner wrote on the fundraising page. “He was like a real brother to me. He saved my life during one of my darkest times and always showed up for the people he loved.
“He brought life and energy to every room, every family gathering, and every stage he stepped on. Watching him perform—especially at local shows in Phoenix or when he came to Tampa—was unforgettable.”
Money raised by the GoFundMe page will pay for funeral and memorial expenses and help give immediate financial support to Ramey’s 29-year-old widow, Jamie, and set up a college fund for their 18-month-old son, Jude.
“Now Jamie is left grieving the love of her life while raising their baby boy alone,” the family member continued on the GoFundMe. “She’s facing not only unimaginable heartbreak but also the financial weight of funeral expenses and legal costs.”
The page has raised $40,760 of its $60,000 goal as of Wednesday morning.
Dropout Kings was formed in Phoenix in 2016 and described its style as “a generational evolution of rap-infused rock bands such as Linkin Park and Limp Bizkit,” according to its website.
The rap-metal group has released three albums since 2018 and has had songs like “Unholy,” “Glitch Gang,” and “I Ain’t Depressed” receive millions of listens across platforms.
Ramey’s bandmates reacted to the tragic news of the frontman’s death on Monday.
“Life comes at you in ways you can never predict,” the statement wrote. “The rollercoaster of chasing your dreams and building with your brothers and friends is a joy few get to know in the most genuine sense and one we were beyond blessed to experience with one another as Dropout Kings.”
“Even still, we cannot always expect things to go the way we dream nor can we understand just how special each moment with our friends and family are until those moments are memories.”
The group’s guitarist, Rob Sebastian, said the response to Ramey’s death has been “too overwhelming.”
“I f–king love you more than words can f–king say, man,” Sebastian wrote in an Instagram story posted during the overnight hours on Monday. “I want you back here … with us, with your family .. this isn’t real. It’s absolutely ridiculous.”
“Please support my late great brother’s family as we attempt to recover from this devastating loss,” the band’s emcee, Eddie “Black Cat Bill” Wellz,” wrote in an Instagram story on Tuesday. “Thank you for all your concern and love. This is beyond words.”
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
