Wee Papa Girl Rappers singer dies aged 55

PA Media

Samantha Lawrence, one half of the UK hip-hop duo Wee Papa Girl Rappers, has died aged 55.

In a statement, Lawrence's family said it was "with great sadness we announce that beloved sister and mother Samantha Lawrence passed away on Sunday".

The British female rap duo, comprised of sisters Sandra and Samantha, also known as TY Tim and Total S.

Sandra confirmed that Samantha had died peacefully in London after a secondary cancer diagnosis this year.

The rap duo found fame in the 80s and are best known for their hit Wee Rule which reached number six on the UK singles chart in October 1988.

The song pairs schoolgirl rhymes with dancehall rhythms.

Wee Papa Girl Rappers were part of a wave of British female rap artists in the late 80s that also included rap duo Cookie Crew and Monie Love.

The London sisters were former backing singers for Feargal Sharkey before they created their own group.

They released two albums - The Beat, the Rhyme, the Noise in 1988 and Be Aware in 1990 - before splitting in 1991.

DJ Dave Pearce, who worked with the duo, paid tribute to Samantha and said she was "part of a defining and ground-breaking era of trailblazing British female rappers who against the odds conquered the UK charts".

He added that it was a "pleasure to work with" the duo and "their positive energy was infectious".

"Through her success, Sam will have inspired others to follow their dreams. I'm glad I had the chance to remind her of that recently," he said.