Shifty Shellshock, co-founder and frontman of American rap rock band Crazy Town, best known for the 2000s mass hit Butterfly, has died aged 49.

Shellshock, born as Seth Binzer, died at his residence on Monday, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's website said.

The cause of his death was not disclosed.

Crazy Town released its debut album, The Gift of Game, in November 1999.

In October 2000, the song Butterfly, sampling the Red Hot Chili Peppers song Pretty Little Ditty, was released as the third single from the album.

The song became a global hit, reaching first place on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States.

Crazy Town went on hiatus in 2003 after its second album, Darkhorse, failed to repeat the first one's success, but the band reunited in 2007.

During the hiatus, in 2004, Shellshock released a solo album called Happy Love Sick.

He was open about his struggles with addiction, appearing on reality TV shows including VH1's Celebrity Rehab and Sober House.

Shellshock is survived by his three children, Halo, Gage and Phoenix.