Jonathan Moore, 47, Pioneering Seattle Hip-Hop Artist

SEATTLE, WA - Seattle hip-hop icon Jonathan Moore passed away on March 8 at age 47, according to his family.

Moore was an extremely influential member of the Northwest hip-hop scene and was a founding member of the Source of Labor rap crew. Moore went by the name Wordsayer when he was a member of Source of Labor, and more recently worked as a DJ in Seattle.

Moore, a graduate of Moorehouse College, is credited with bringing Seattle's rap scene to a larger regional audience. According to a 2005 profile by The Stranger's Charles Mudede, Moore was able to book a show for Source of Labor and other local hip-hop acts at RKCNDY, a legendary Seattle club in Belltown known for hosting grunge and punk bands. Until that time, hip-hop in Seattle was largely confined to the Central District.

Watch Moore as Wordsayer in this Source of Labor video from the 1990s:

Image via City of Seattle