TMZ: WorldStarHipHop founder Lee 'Q' O'Denat dead at 43

Photo via TMZ.com

WorldStarHipHop founder Lee O'Denat -- known as "Q" -- has died ... TMZ has learned.

We're told Q, the CEO of WorldStar and its face, died in his sleep Monday night.

Q founded the premiere hip-hop website in 2005 when he started posting mixtapes, which gradually progressed into a mash-up of hip-hop videos, fight clips and other outrageous camera footage.

He was 43.

Tune in to TMZ on TV weekdays Monday through Friday (check http://www.tmz.com/when-its-on for syndicated/local listings at the bottom of the page)