Shifty Shellshock, the renowned frontman of rap-rock band Crazy Town, has passed away at the age of 49. The musician, whose real name was Seth Binzer, rose to fame with Crazy Town's hit single "Butterfly" in 2001, which reached number one in the US and number three in the UK. The artist, however, battled with addiction throughout his life, as he candidly addressed his struggles on reality shows such as Celebrity Rehab and Sober House.

On June 24th, Shifty Shellshock was found dead at his Los Angeles home. The specific cause of his death has not been revealed at this time. Born in 1974, Binzer was immersed in the music industry from a young age. After being inspired by the Beastie Boys' album "Licensed to Ill," he formed Crazy Town in 1995, alongside Bret "Epic" Mazur whom he had met during a recording session in the early 1990s. The band aimed to combine hip-hop with full instrumental backing, but initially faced challenges.

However, it was their single "Butterfly" that became their breakthrough. Released in 2001, the song became an instant hit, largely due to its catchy chorus and laid-back vibe. Shellshock explained that he wrote the song as a counterpoint to his previously chauvinistic lyrics, as it was dedicated to a girl he cared about. Despite concerns about being defined by the track, the band released it as a single and it became widely loved.

Following the success of "Butterfly," Crazy Town struggled to replicate its triumph. Their next single, "Revolving Door," peaked at number 23 in the UK, and the band disbanded in 2002 after disappointing album sales for their second album, "Darkhorse." Shellshock embarked on a solo career and released a moderately successful album in Europe titled "Happy Love Sick." Additionally, he achieved success with the club track "Starry Eyed Surprise," in collaboration with DJ Paul Oakenfold, which reached number six in the UK.

In 2015, Shellshock briefly reunited with Mazur for one more Crazy Town album, "The Brimstone Sluggers," before Mazur's departure. Shellshock then rebranded the band as Crazy Town X. Throughout his career, he was open about his struggles with drug and alcohol addiction, revealing his past experiences with jail time, including incidents of assault with a firearm and drug selling. In 2012, he faced legal troubles for domestic abuse and cocaine possession, and that same year, he suffered a coma after losing consciousness but managed to recover.

The musician's tumultuous journey continued in more recent years, with an arrest for driving under the influence in 2022. Last year, Shellshock was removed from a Nu Metal tour following a violent, on-camera altercation with his bandmate, Bobby Reeves, after a gig in South Carolina.

The news of Shifty Shellshock's untimely passing has shocked the music community, which mourns the loss of a talented artist. Fans and fellow musicians remember him as a passionate frontman with a distinct voice. His struggles with addiction serve as a reminder of the challenges faced by many in the industry.