SiriusXM reported that legendary hip-hop DJ, rapper, and Shade 45 host Lord Sear (real name Steve Watson) has passed away in a statement on Wednesday (March 11). He was 52. Shade 45 will honor and celebrate Sear, who also went by Stak Cheda, with a tribute episode on Thursday from noon to 4 p.m. ET on SiriusXM.
Many artists have paid their respects on social media, including Eminem, E-40, Hit-Boy, Fat Joe, Mickey Factz, Rapsody, Tony Yayo, 9th Wonder and Skyzoo, among many others. “God bless i know him my whole career love you sear,” Fat Joe commented on Instagram in the comments to the announcement, with Lloyd Banks adding, “Rest In Peace to my brother LORD SEAR 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 🕊️ 🕊️ thank you 🙌.”
“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. “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!!!”
Sear was one of the greatest people to be around, I will never forget how he made me laugh on our tour together. 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… pic.twitter.com/JXs6mVzPKG
— Marshall Mathers (@Eminem) March 12, 2026
Lord Sear’s legacy in hip-hop runs deep. A proud member of the CM family, he first made his mark alongside the hip-hop artist Kurious, before going on to the legendary “Stretch and Bobbito” show, touring the world on Eminem’s Anger Management Tour, and spending over 20 years as a cornerstone of the Shade 45 family — he helped shape the culture at every level.
WE ARE SAD TO REPORT THAT OUR DEAR FRIEND AND HOST, LORD SEAR HAS PASSED AWAY AT AGE 53. SEAR WAS MORE THAN A VOICE ON THE RADIO – HE WAS A FORCE, A FRIEND, AND FAMILY TO SO MANY OF US! IN HIS HONOR, PLEASE TUNE IN TOMORROW FROM 12–4PMET/9AM-1PMPT ON SHADE 45, WHERE FRIENDS WILL… pic.twitter.com/MvWBPu8GwA
— Shade45 (@Shade45) March 11, 2026
Damn, I was waiting to hear it on Sirius, hoping it wasn’t true. SMH. RIP Lord Sear. EVERYTIME I dropped an album, Sear would invite me up to the show to shed light on my project. Showed endless support. He was for real. Thank you bro. Peace and blessings to your fam. Salute G
— Skyzoo (@skyzoo) March 11, 2026
R.I.P. to a great brother who always showed love and supported my music. https://t.co/HYWEV532oW
— Marco Polo (@marcopolobeats) March 11, 2026
I am sending all of my love to the whole CM FAMALAM.
DJ Lord Sear was a true friend. He remained the same person the whole time I knew him since the mid-90s.
One of DOOM’s best IRL friends, I spent a lot of time with my face, side, and belly hurting from laughing SO HARD at…
— ❀🎧ྀི❀ MetalFlowerz ~ Heaven On Earth ~ 4/6 ❀🎧ྀི❀ (@WALASIA) March 11, 2026
DAMN !!!!
WE ROCKED PARTIES, WE TORE DOWN CRAZY SPOTS. WE ROCKED ON THE RADIO. WE BULLIED DJ’s OFF THE SET AT JOE’S PUB. SO MANY JOKES! YOU MADE ME ALMOST HAVE A ASTHMA ATACK WHEN YOU BROKE THE MIXER AT THE CLUB. SO MUCH MEMORIES.
GOING TO MISS YOU SEAR !!!
RIP LORD SEAR AKA… pic.twitter.com/Tq4Ls7yPPQ
— DJ EVIL DEE (@DJEVILDEE) March 11, 2026
The world has lost someone special today. R.I.P. Lord Sear who made his way into our hearts & homes via the airwaves. From the Stretch & Bobbito days to the current Shade 45 days. Sear was family to us & we will miss him dearly. pic.twitter.com/ZMQWnCtoDI
— Fat Beats (@fatbeats) March 11, 2026
Rest In Peace Lord Sear, Titan of NYC Hip-Hop and host of GTAIII’s Game FM pic.twitter.com/fkbDZfVeEM
— Rockstar Games (@RockstarGames) March 12, 2026
