Sugar Hill Hip Hop Veteran Big Bank Hank Passes

Strangely enough on this Veteran’s Day, hip hop has lost a veteran artist. Henry ”Big Bank Hank” Jackson, best known a member of the Sugar Hill Gang, passed away early today at age 57 due to kidney complications from cancer. Hank had been quietly battling the disease for some time. He was also affectionately known as “the grandmaster with the3 MCs that shock the house for the young ladies” as well as “Imp the Dimp,” the ladies pimp.

The song hit song “Rapper’s Delight” pushed the group and hip-hop (or rap) forefront in the 1980’s, changing the course of music from A to Z. Rarely will you find anyone from the age of 6 to 60 who does not know the bulk of the lyrics to the song. Wonder Mike and Master Gee, the group’s remaining members commented on their estranged comrade with a simple, “So sad to hear of our brother’s passing. Rest in peace Big Bank.”

Hip-hop icons, DJ’s and fans from far and wide such as LL Cool J, Big Daddy, Kane, DJ Clark Kent, Kool DJ Red Alert, Q-Tip, Bun B, Funkmaster Flex and NBA Owner Mark Cuban are the short list of those who simply blew up social media today with their condolences for the Bronx native.

Legendary rapper Kurtis Blow exclusively shared with The Urban Buzz, “because of Rapper’s Delight being such a huge it, I was blessed to become the first rapper signed to a major label. Thank you Sugar Hill Gang and RIP Big Bank Hank, a true friend.”

DJ Eddie F of Heavy D & The Boyz added, “not only did Big Bank Hank help ignite and cement the legacy and viability of commercial hip-hop music as a whole, he also helped to inspire several following generations of young, urban musicians so that they could also become successful people.”