12:10 p.m. – Jimmy O (full name Jimmy Alexandre), a well-known singer and songwriter in Haiti who also was active in hip-hop artist and philanthropist Wyclef Jean’s charity, is dead.

Jimmy O, 35, was crushed in a vehicle in downtown Port-au-Prince during the Haiti earthquake on January 12, 2010.

[source: CNN]

VH1 Update:

CNN was on the scene when O’s body was discovered Friday and watched as a man examined the body and pulled the artist’s passport from his pocket, verifying the corpse as that of Jean “Jimmy O” Jimmy Alexandre.

Jimmy O Alexandre Biography (from Facebook):

JimmyO was born in Port- au- Prince, Haiti. He grew up with two supportive parents, two brothers and a sister.

As a child He knew rapping was his passion. With influences such as N.W.A, Jay-Z, and Wyclef Jean; He was destined to rap. He began rapping in 1993. Before becoming a solo artist in 2006 he was a member of various rap creole groups. Although he enjoyed the time spent in the groups he longed for a solo career.

After years of trying to put his name and face in the rap game, he was signed to Wyclef Jeans label; Sak Pase Records in 2007. JimmyO brings a new style of rap to both Haiti and U. S. hip hop. His music is a mix of gangsta rap and hip hop creole. With his music he wants to bring a sense of pride, respect, and knowledge.With his debut album “Destiny”, set to drop soon featuring Wycelf, The Game, Will. i. am, Akon, Rick Ross, and Barikad Crew.

JimmyO is the new face of hip hop creole and will soon be a household name. JimmyO prides his self on coming from poverty to a soon to be world re-known artist. He is a force to be reckon with an wants everyone to know and recognize his talent. Just listening to JimmyO you get a sense that he loves what he does and it really comes through.

He is no one hit wonder. Jimmy O is here to stay.

RIP Jimmy