Eminem's Rap DJ Lord Sear Dead at 53

Lord Sear -- a legendary DJ in the world of hip hop who also worked closely with Eminem on his radio channel, Shade 45 -- has died.

Eminem honored Sear's death in a Wednesday post on social media, saying ... “SEAR WAS MORE THAN A VOICE ON THE RADIO – HE WAS A FORCE, A FRIEND, AND FAMILY TO SO MANY OF US!”

Sear worked for the station as a DJ since its inception in 2004. He also joined the rapper on the "Anger Management Tour" in the early 2000s. A cause of death was not released.

Eminem recalled how his beloved pal made him laugh while they were on tour together and remembered him as "one of the greatest people to be around." 

Born and raised in NYC, Sear became one of the most recognizable radio voices in hip hop over his decades-long career on air. 

He first got noticed as a DJ while on tour with rapper Kurious. Then, in the '90s, he landed a gig as a central voice of WKCR's iconic "Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito Show." The show is credited with introducing Jay-Z, Nas, Wu-Tang Clan and other major rap icons to the world.

Sear created his own rap music, appearing on albums by the Beastie Boys, Big Pun, MF DOOM, The X-Ecutioners and Statik Selektah.

In addition ... Sear lent his distinctive voice to video games such as "Grand Theft Auto III" and "Grand Theft Auto IV."

In the 2000s, Sear joined SiriusXM satellite radio, co-hosting "The All Out Show with Rude Jude" on Eminem's Shade 45 channel. He branched out to host his own program, "The Lord Sear Special," also on SiriusXM, where he remained until his passing.

Sear was 53.