Lucian Piane, a songwriter and music producer known best for his work on multiple seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race, died October 12, according to Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office records. He was 46.
The online records note Piane died in the street. Piane reportedly was struck by a car Monday morning in Glendale, CA and died from his injuries.
Piane worked as a composer and producer on the first eight seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race, and was behind some of the show’s biggest musical numbers including The Baddest Bitches in Herstory”, “Shade: The Rusical,” “Rucapella,” “Glamazonian Airways (Part 1 and Part 2),” “Hot in Tuckahoe” as well as several finale songs including the three from season 8: Bob the Drag Queen’s “I Don’t Like to Show Off,” Naomi Smalls’ “Legs” and Kim Chi’s “Fat, Fem & Asian.”
He co-wrote and produced RuPaul‘s biggest hits including “Cover Girl,” “Sissy That Walk,” “Jealous of My Boogie,” “Peanut Butter,” “Geronimo,” “Freaky Money,” “The Beginning,” “Born Naked,” “Champion,” “Sexy Drag Queen,” “I Bring the Beat,” “Let the Music Play,” “Feel Like Dancin” and “Main Event.”
A classically trained composer and graduate of New York University, he composed scores for the HBO documentary An Omar Broadway Film and the film Pretty Ugly People. He wrote the song “Year End Rap” which blogger Perez Hilton performed on his VH1 special, What Perez Sez. Piane also wrote the song “Stunning” for Calpernia Addams for her reality television show, Transamerican Love Story.
He earned a Grammy nomination and an RIAA Platinum Album Award for his production work alongside Marc Shaiman on the Hairspray film soundtrack. His additional credits included arrangements for the film Team America: World Police and writing music for the 76th Annual Academy Awards.
Prior to his death, on October 10 he was taken into custody by Glendale police for allegedly being under the influence of a controlled substance. He was detained again the following day for an alleged assault on an officer or emergency personnel. He was issued citations for both incidents and given a court date of October 12. Worried fans and friends had previously commented on some alarming videos he had posted on Instagram, saying “You gotta get sober and stay sober Lucian. Please ❤️ we love you” and “This is so sad to see. Lucian please seek help.”
