Eminem is mourning the loss of longtime friend and radio personality Lord Sear, who died Wednesday, March 11, from undisclosed causes.
The Detroit rapper reacted to the news the same evening, taking to social media to honor the beloved DJ, producer, and broadcaster whose voice and humor became a staple in hip-hop radio for decades.
Reflecting on that history, Eminem shared a heartfelt tribute alongside a nostalgic audio clip from one of Sear’s interviews with him.
“Sear was one of the greatest people to be around, I will never forget how he made me laugh on our tour together,” Eminem wrote in a post on his official X account.
“Our time on @Shade45 together was always some of my favorite interviews. He made the world a better place and I’m gonna seriously miss that. Rest in peace Lil Trey aka @LordSear!!!”
The clip Eminem posted highlighted the playful dynamic between the two. In the recording, Sear jokingly presses the rapper about his favorite sneakers growing up, prompting Eminem to reveal that while Nike became his signature footwear, he previously favored Adidas.
The exchange, filled with Sear’s signature humor and interjections, captured the lighthearted energy he brought to radio.
Eminem and Sear’s connection stretched back more than 25 years, including memorable moments together on SiriusXM’s hip-hop station Shade 45, which the hitmaker launched in 2004.
The 53-year-old also appeared as a DJ on Em’s iconic Anger Management Tour, and later cohosted Shade 45’s The All Out Show with Rude Jude.
News of Sear’s death was announced on Wednesday afternoon (March 11) in a post on Shade 45‘s official X account.
“WE ARE SAD TO REPORT THAT OUR DEAR FRIEND AND HOST, LORD SEAR HAS PASSED AWAY,” read an X post by the station announcing his death. “SEAR WAS MORE THAN A VOICE ON THE RADIO – HE WAS A FORCE, A FRIEND, AND FAMILY TO SO MANY OF US! ”
A native of New York, Lord Sear first entered the music world working alongside rapper Kurious before gaining wider recognition as part of the influential radio program The Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito Show.
There, he helped interview emerging artists who would later become legends, including Wu-Tang Clan, Jay-Z, the Notorious B.I.G., and Nas.
Beyond his comedic presence behind the mic, Sear was also respected as a DJ and producer, contributing to projects involving artists like Beastie Boys and Big Pun.
Following news of his passing, tributes poured in across the hip-hop community. Figures such as Ice-T, E-40, Paul Rosenberg, Fat Joe, DJ A-Trak, De La Soul, Hit-Boy, 9th Wonder, Tony Yayo, Rapsody, and more shared memories and condolences, remembering Lord Sear for his character, contributions, and love for hip-hop culture.
This story was originally published on VIBE.
