By Bill Starlin
Los Angeles, California Hip-Hop recording artist The Game issued a statement exclusively to AllHipHop.com earlier today regarding the tragic Friday night plane crash that critically injured former Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker and DJ AM.
"I am deeply hurt by this tragedy. Travis Barker has always been there for me when I needed him creatively. We've done many songs together," The Game told AllHipHop.com. "Just recently he appeared in my video (Dope Boyz) that he featured on. I respect and love him, my prayers are with him and his family in this difficult time for his speedy & complete recovery."
Barker has a long history of working with Hip-Hop artists, and has worked on Hip-Hop related projects himself, acting as drummer for a Hip-Hop inspired punk band, Transplant, whose second release Haunted Cities was screwed and chopped by Paul Wall.
Barker later formed a band called Expensive Taste with Paul Wall and he recently remixed the monster hit "Crank That" by artist Soulja Boy to critical acclaim, as well as another recent smash with Flo Rida's "Low," which was featured on hit video game Guitar Hero.
Four people died in the crash, which occured as the popular musicians were taking off from the Columbia, South Carolina Metropolitan Airport in a Learjet 60, just before midnight on Friday (September 19).
They have been identified as pilot Sarah Lemmon, 31, of Anaheim Hills and co-pilot James Bland, 52, of Carlsbad.
Barker's assistant Chris Baker, 29, of Studio City, CA, and his security guard Charles Still, 25 of Los Angeles, were also killed in the accident.
"It's so shocking and unexpected," Paul Wall told AllHipHop.com. "Travis and AM are such generous people. They would literally give you the shirt off their back. And Lil Chris was such a great friend. He was down for life. I feel so bad for his wife and son that are going through such a hard time right now. Family is something very important to Travis and Chris, we all gotta pull together right now."
Barker is currently in critical condition in an Augusta, Georgia burn unit with fellow crash survivor DJ AM, born Adam Goldstein.
Barker was burned on his torso and lower body, while DJ AM was burned on his arms and head.
Both men are expected to recover, but could be remained hospitalized for weeks, according to doctors.