Henry Jackson, also known as Big Bank Hank of pioneering rap group The Sugarhill Gang, has died.
According to TMZ reports, the MC passed away this morning (November 11) with the cause believed to be cancer. He was 57 years old.
Speaking to TMZ, fellow Sugarhill Gang members Michael ‘Wonder Mike’ Wright and Guy ‘Master Gee’ O’Brien said they are “so sad to hear of our brother’s passing. Rest in peace Big Bank”.
The trio are best known for their 1979 hit ‘Rappers Delight’, which is widely considered to the first ever mainstream rap hit. They also released four LPs in the 1980s and a children’s album, ‘Jump on It!’, in 1999.
Among the people to pay tribute to Jackson include rappers Kurtis Blow, Q-Tip, LL Cool J and The Poetess, who have all tweeted their condolences.
https://twitter.com/KurtisBlow1/status/532210797339234304
https://twitter.com/QtipTheAbstract/status/532202863712538625
You were one of the guys who inspired me to touch the Mic. Rip Big Bank Hank. #ThankYou. #Tears http://t.co/CRdpjPLBB8
— LLCOOLJ. (@llcoolj) November 11, 2014
RIP Big Bank Hank of the Sugar Hill Gang! http://t.co/Uvdn97bROz…/sugarhill-gang-big-bank-hank-dies-can…/ #RIPhiphoplegend
— The Poetess (@ogpoetess) November 11, 2014