The family of a young grime rapper have been left “completely heartbroken” after he was fatally stabbed.

Nico Ramsay, 19, of Eastern Road, Plaistow – whose stage name was Y.Nasty – was found with a stab wound to the chest in Napier Avenue, Southend, Essex, on Saturday, February 13. He was taken to hospital but died four days later from his injuries.

In a statement released by Essex police, Nico’s family – which includes Nasty Crew members Rinse FM DJ Marcus Nasty and rapper Lil Nasty – revealed he had battled leukaemia as a child and had only just celebrated his birthday before the fatal encounter. They also said he planned to open his own cafe.

Paying tribute to him, Nico’s family said he was a “lovely, good-natured, charismatic and humorous young man”.

They added: “He had a life full of hope and promise ahead of him. Nico was family orientated, forever loyal and full of hope and ambition to do well.

“He was a caring and genuine young man who loved his brothers, nieces, nephews and cousin, always encouraging and supporting them to do well. In testament to his loyalty, Nico was with his girlfriend ‘Gels’ for more than seven years.

“Now we will never see Nico grow into an adult, see his children or see him open his own cafe.

“Nico battled and won childhood leukaemia, only to be taken away from us in the most horrific and tragic way possible.

“We watched helplessly on February 17 as his life ebbed away. We all miss his kind spirit, his sense of adventure and his cheeky smile.”

Two men have been charged in connection with the death of Nico Ramsay and are due to appear at Basildon Crown Court on Monday, March 17.

Troy Lewis, 21, of Odessa Road, Forest Gate was charged with grievous bodily harm, possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and possession of class A drugs with intent to supply, following the fatal stabbing of Nico Ramsay, 19, from Plaistow, last month.

A second man, Nathan Sylvester, 25, a labourer of Cornwallis Gardens, Hastings, East Sussex, was charged with grievous bodily harm.

Both men appeared at Southend Magistrates’ Court on February 15, where their cases were sent to Basildon Crown Court.