ATLANTA — Nearly five months after announcing his diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, Atlanta R&B radio legend Silas “SiMan Baby” Alexander lost his battle with the disease.
Alexander’s wife posted the news on his Facebook page early Wednesday.
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“Si Man Baby” made his cancer diagnosis public while celebrating his 58th birthday in September 2021. Alexander said then that he had been diagnosed three months before announcing it publicly. He shared the news alongside his cousin Gary Mitchell, known as Mix Master Mitch around the metro Atlanta area.
Mitchell died in December.
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“SiMan Baby” spent decades on the Atlanta radio airwaves working for stations live V-103, Kiss 104.1, Classic Soul 102.5 and Majic 97.5/107.5 through 2018. He also hosted late-night parties and events at clubs throughout the metro area. In addition, he had a syndicated radio show the past few years that aired on several different stations around the southeast.
Channel 2′s Audrey Washington spoke to DJ Frank Ski at KISS 104.1 about Alexander’s legacy.
“When Siman walked into walked into the room, the room changed,” Ski said. “Everyone loved Siman because his energy was all positive. His charisma, his drive, his energy, as Fred Blankenship said is infectious.”
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Washington also spoke to Dr. Cecil Bennett about steps you can take to prevent pancreatic cancer.
“There are things that we can do as African Americans to decrease our risk, such as losing weight and exercising,” Bennett said. “Controlling our diabetes if we are diabetic.”
Ski said Alexander’s death has made him take his own health more seriously.
“It makes me take a pause and realize the importance of what I have to do, and I should be spreading more information about health issues,” Ski said.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens released a statement on Alexander’s death, saying, in part,”SiMan Baby was a voice that spanned more than one generation of radio listeners.”
“The echoes of his voice will forever reverberate as he will never be forgotten,” Atlanta City Councilman Julian Bond said.
SiMan leaves behind his wife Sandra and son, Silas IV.
At this time, there is no word on funeral or memorial plans. Channel 2 Action News will update this story when we get those details.
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