Musician Christopher ‘Big Black’ Boykin attends the 2014 MTV Movie Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on April 13, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Getty)
On Tuesday morning, Christopher ‘Big Black’ Boykin, part of MTV’s hit reality series, Rob & Big, died at age 45. A rep for Boykin confirmed to People that the cause of death was a heart attack.
In a statement obtained by People, MTV said, “MTV is deeply saddened to learn the news of Christopher ‘Big Black’ Boykin’s passing. He was a longtime and beloved member of the MTV family and will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends at this time.”
Boykin was Rob Dyrdek’s close friend and co-star on Rob & Big from 2006 to 2008, but the show came to an end after 19 episodes because of a fallout between the duo. In 2014, Dyrdek opened up to Graham Bensinger about what went on behind the scenes, and what led to the friction between him and Boykin. “I didn’t want to be known as Rob from Rob & Big,” Dyrdek said. “I think he didn’t want to be known as the sidekick, so I think that created a lot of that tension between me and him.” Dyrdek says he believes it was the fundamental struggle of wanting to not be so connected to each other that resulted in the show ending.
RIP @BigBlack. My heart is crushed. I’ll remember all the times you made me laugh and my prayers go out to your family ❤️🙏🏼😢
In February 2016, Boykin was invited as a guest to the FGCU (Florida Gulf Coast University) campus to discuss his life and experience on reality shows. According to an article published by Eagle News, the school’s main media outlet, Boykin discussed everything from his youth to the time he and Dyrdek ran from cops in Rome during his interview with the school’s programming board. He reportedly spoke to the students about growing up in rural Mississippi, and even opened up about his experiences with racism in the South. “The star revealed that he once didn’t get a job because the employer was convinced that he was a criminal, even though he has never been arrested,” according to a piece written about Boykin’s trip to campus.
The 6’6″ reality star, who was also a veteran of the US Navy, posted his last Tweet on Monday, making a comment about boxer Canelo Alvarez. His main Twitter photo is a plaque inscribed with the words, “Rob & Big.”
Someway,Somehow this fight isn’t going to happen in Sept Canelo is going to purposely get hurt during training camp to delay this fight…. t.co/787PlUQctE
A number of celebrities have flocked to social media to mourn ‘Big Black’s’ death, including Chanel West Coast from Fantasy Factory, Juicy J, Angel Haze, and more.
Boykin is survived by his 9-year-old daughter, Isis Rae Boykin.
