WALTERBORO, S.C. — Former rapper Craig Mack, best known for the platinum 1994 hit "Flava in Ya Ear'' has died in South Carolina.

Colleton County Coroner Richard Harvey says the 46-year-old Mack died at his home in Walterboro around 9 p.m. Monday. Harvey said it appeared Mack died of natural causes.

The Long Island, New York native was a protégé of Diddy and one of the first signees to Bad Boy Entertainment, which released his first album, Project: Funk da World, anchored by "Flava in Ya Ear,'' which was nominated for a Grammy. His follow-up single, "Get Down'' went gold.

The remix of "Flava In Your Ear" brought the breakout appearance of The Notorious B.I.G. and featured one of the first solo appearances of rapper Busta Rhymes.

After Mack left Diddy, he released a second album, Operation: Get Down in 1997 but left the music industry and devoted his life to religion.

DJ Scratch said on Instagram that Mack formerly handled his turntable setups and breakdowns.