R.I.P: Big Bank Hank (Sugarhill Gang founder member) dies at 57

Who doesn’t know THE most famous – and first commercial – song in hip hop?

I said a hip hop,
Hippie to the hippie,
The hip, hip a hop, and you don’t stop, a rock it
To the bang bang boogie, say, up jump the boogie,
To the rhythm of the boogie, the beat.
Now, what you hear is not a test – I’m rappin’ to the beat,
And me, the groove, and my friends are gonna try to move your feet.

– Rapper’s Delight

It’s a sad day as the world mourns the loss of Sugarhill Gang founder member, Big Bank Hank. The New York MC rapper has died at age 57 from kidney complications due to cancer. The rapper whose real name is Henry Jackson, formed the famous rap group alongside Master Gee and Wonder Mic. Their smash hit ‘Rapper’s Delight’ hit the big time in 1979 selling millions of copies and shaping hip hop as we know it today.

“So sad to hear of our brother’s passing,” said Wonder Mike and Master Gee in a statement. “Rest in peace Big Bank.”

 

 

Scroll to Top

Join the Hype fam and sign-up today

Newsletters • competitions • events