Sidney "Omen" Brown, Grammy-winning producer for Beyoncé and Drake, dies at 49

Sidney "Omen" Brown, known by the stage name "Omen," was a music producer whose songs complemented Drake, Beyoncé, Lil Wayne, and others. Brown died at 49, per his family.

He was found on September 13, 2025, in his apartment in Harlem, New York City, after he did not come in for a work shift. According to the reports by People, he was found by a family member after his coworkers reached out to his family. His mother, Martha Brown, spoke to TMZ and confirmed his death. The cause is not known yet, and officials have said the autopsy will provide information.

Omen was highly regarded in music. He won a Grammy for his music productions, and artists and colleagues posted tributes on social media after the news.

Sidney "Omen" Brown's career and music achievements

Sidney "Omen" Brown started his career with artists such as Mýa, Fabolous, and people from the Roc-A-Fella label. Later, he produced the song "Tell It Like It Is" for Ludacris. That song was on the Release Therapy album, and that record won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album in 2007.

He later worked with Drake and co-produced his song "Shut It Down" on the Thank Me Later album. He also co-wrote and co-produced Beyoncé’s song "Mine" featuring Drake from her 2013 self-titled album.

Besides big names, Sidney "Omen" Brown also had roots in local music scenes. He DJed at Ethyl’s Bar & Restaurant in New York City, and he worked for over a decade at Barawine Harlem, a wine bar. There, people said he brought his talent and presence, not just as a producer, but as a community figure.

Harlem was more than his home. It was also the place he built his life and career. Many of his early works came from that area, and he helped bring out songs that shaped hip hop and R&B sounds.

Tributes to Sidney "Omen" Brown's death

After the news broke, many people and places he was close to shared their grief. Barawine Harlem released a statement on Instagram, where they said,

"It is with shock and deep sadness we have heard about the passing of our dear friend Omen Sidney Brown."

Ethyl’s Bar & Restaurant also shared a tribute. They said,

"Sidney "Omen" Brown was not only a DJ who could get our Dance floor jumping, but he was also a Grammy Award Winning Producer who worked with Beyonce, Lil' Wayne and please take a minute to listen to the song attached "Tell It Like It Is" which Omen helped write and produce for Ludacris! 📀"

Colleagues and fans remembered Omen as someone who shaped music behind the scenes. He did not always get visible fame, but his fingerprints are on many tracks people know and love. His death has drawn attention to the work of producers and how their contributions are essential even when they are not always in the spotlight.

What we still do not know are many details. The exact cause and manner of his death are not yet public. The medical examiner’s office is expected to release more information after an autopsy.

Many news outlets have covered the story. They note his age, his biggest hits, and how unexpected the news was. Fans have been expressing sadness on social media, sharing favorite songs he worked on. Some are pointing to his early work with Ludacris, Fabolous, and other artists as moments that show his skill.

Omen’s legacy is already clear to many. From "Tell It Like It Is" to "Shut It Down" and "Mine," he left a mark across different parts of music. His work with big artists shows his ability to adapt and help craft songs that reach millions.

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Even in his later years, he was active in his community. DJ-ing and working at local venues, he stayed connected to people around him. Many say that made him more than a producer – it made him someone who shared more than music; he shared moments, and he shared joy.

Sidney "Omen" Brown's passing is a loss for music. He belonged to a group of creators who make songs sound better, who push boundaries, and who help voices be heard.

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