Chucky Thompson passed away

Hip hop and R&B producer Chucky Thompson has passed away. Young Guru broke the news on Monday (Aug. 9) while paying homage to the beat maker, who paved the way for his career.

“There is nothing I can write that will take away this pain,” Guru wrote alongside photo of him and Thompson. “I have to say RIP to my mentor, my big brother, the man who changed my life forever. You were the kindest person the world has ever seen. You were the most gifted musician I have ever been around.”

“You treated my like family from day one,” he continued.

“You made a point to the labels that I had to fly to New York with you on ever session. You put me in rooms with Biggie. I will forever be in your debt, and I will forever be your little brother. This one hurts so bad I can even explain it. RIP @chucklife365 there will never be another you!!!!”

Thompson — a native of Washington DC — got his start playing for Chuck Brown’s legendary go-go band, The Soul Searchers, before landing a role as a member of the “Hitmen” — a group of in-house producers at Bad Boy Entertainment. There, he worked alongside Mary J. Blige, Usher and TLC and more, and produced hits including but not limited to “Big Poppa” by The Notorious B.I.G., Craig Mack’s “Flava in Ya Ear,” “Can’t You See” by Total and Faith Evans’ “Soon As I Get Home.”

Though he’s lauded for making many of the beats that shaped the sound of the 90s hip hop and R&B, his production discography extends from that era to modern day. Prior to his death, he was working alongside Shania Twain on Love Records and was in the process of filming a documentary about his life.

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