“Music kept me alive”

Late Crazy Town singer Shifty Shellshock, also known as Seth Brooks Binzer, spoke about sobriety in one of his final interviews before his accidental overdose. The footage was obtained by TMZ.

In the interview, the singer was at a Rock to Recovery benefit concert at the Fonda Theater in Hollywood last August and told Mayra Dias Gomes: “I’m fine. Sober, happy.”

He continued, “I think music has kept me alive. I think it’s always the light that gives me… that and my kids inspire me to live. Music has always been my therapy. It’s helped me get through everything.”

He added that recovering addicts “have been in the darkest places and made it back… we always have good content.”

The frontman of the rap group Crazy Town, who battled addiction for years, died at his Los Angeles home on June 24 at the age of 49. The band’s manager, Howie Hubberman, said the cause of death was an accidental overdose.

Hubberman said Shellshock died from taking a deadly “combination of prescription and street-bought drugs,” he told People.

“After his battle with addiction and the quick success of Crazy Town, Seth Binzer was never able to deal with his addiction on a more successful level with ‘Butterfly,'” Hubberman told the outlet.

Hubberman described the troubled rocker as a “friend” he wished he could “fix,” but “unfortunately, no one, including myself, had the proper tools to do that.”

Crazy Town was formed in 1995 by Shellshock and fellow rapper Bret “Epic” Mazur and rose to fame with their single “Butterfly” in 2000. Other members included DJ Rick One, Mark White, Adam Bravin and Charles Lopez.

Shellshock, who has spoken openly about his battle with addiction, appeared twice on “Celebrity Rehab” and its follow-up show “Sober House.”

In 2012, the rapper was reportedly arrested for assault and cocaine possession.

He was also arrested for drunk driving in Los Angeles in 2022. According to TMZ, he was again charged with drunk driving in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in April 2023.

Shellshock leaves behind his three children Halo, Gage and Phoenix.

“For Seth, the world was art – he loved every part of it, from music and fashion to graffiti, skateboarding and his hometown of Los Angeles,” his family said in a statement after his death. “He loved his three boys more than anything and his devotion to his music and his fans never wavered.”

“God knows he tried so hard to conquer his demons, but sadly he lost the battle,” they continued. “We are heartbroken by his loss. Seth’s larger than life presence touched so many. Seth was a tortured soul, but he was beautiful and had a heart of gold.”

“He will live on in his three sons, of whom he was most proud: Halo, Gage and Phoenix,” the statement concluded.

David Arquette also paid tribute to Shellshock after his death.

“Sending all my love to my brother Seth @therealcrazytown and his family. Shifty as I knew him when we first met at a graffiti battle in a garden in LA,” Arquette wrote under a montage of photos and videos on Instagram.

“He was such an incredible man with a huge heart. We went through many of the same issues and I want his family to find love and healing during this painful time,” he continued. “I love you, boy.”

Soleil Moon Frye also paid tribute to Shellshock after his death.

The “Punky Brewster” star, who knew Shellshock since middle school and dated him from 2021 to 2022, posted on Instagram alongside a selection of photos of the couple: “My heart whispers a million times that I love you for loving my children and me so unconditionally.”

“So now I’m going to use every bit of strength you showed me to hold on to the words you asked me in your beautiful (raspy) morning voice on the beach while you showered me with kisses. ‘The people we lost, we’ll see again on the road someday, right?’ I believe we will, Seth…” she wrote. “And when that happens, the most charming, cool, tattooed angel in the mismatched shoes who taught me how to soak up life again will be standing there with the biggest smile.”

“I will immediately see your moon on fire cheek welcoming your family, friends, fans and loved ones under loving double rainbow arches… I love you forever and always. Your moonfire xx.”