Henry "Big Bank Hank" Jackson of The Sugarhill Gang died Tuesday morning in New York City due to complications from cancer. He was 57 years old.
Mashable confirmed his death with David Mallie, who manages Sugarhill Gang members Michael "Wonder Mike" Wright and Guy "Master Gee" O'Brien. The group is largely considered to have introduced hip-hop to the masses with its catchy 1979 hit "Rapper's Delight."
"So sad to hear about our brother's passing," Wonder Mike and Master Gee said in a joint statement. "The three of us created musical history together with the release of 'Rapper's Delight.' We will always remember traveling the world together and rocking the house. Rest in peace Big Bank."
Upon learning about his death, the hip-hop community and other celebrities expressed their condolences online, particularly on Twitter, where they called the Bronx-born rapper a pioneer and legend.
RIP Big Bank Hank of the Sugarhill Gang #pioneer— QTip (@QtipTheAbstract) November 11, 2014
Rip Rap Legend Big Bank Hank of the SugarHill gang— juicy j (@therealjuicyj) November 11, 2014
Rest in peace... Big Bank Hank... Hip hop pioneer dies of Cancer .... Legend... Sugarhill gang August… http://t.co/RD7qo2KG4C— Funk Flex !!!!! (@funkflex) November 11, 2014
R.I.P. Big Bank Hank. One third of the song that made all of this Hip Hop Music possible. Thanx for opening the door. http://t.co/yrXx9dBo8M— Dark Gable (@bigdaddykane) November 11, 2014
Ghostwritten or not, we can't deny #BigBankHank's place in hip hop history. Who Haa he kept us all in check http://t.co/LIZ2LmRJPR respect.— Questlove Gomez (@questlove) November 11, 2014
RIP big bank hank. This is truly a major piece of hip hop/ Black music that is gone ! Thanks for fun times ! pic.twitter.com/DyhJuGOLE2— sinbad (@sinbadbad) November 11, 2014
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