Bigga Rankin — the legendary DJ whose mixtapes helped launch some of hip-hop’s biggest names — has died. He was 50. Rankin’s family announced his death in a statement that was posted to his social media accounts on Monday, July 20. The Jacksonville native, born Billy Plummer, served as an A&R at Think It’s A Game Records.
Bigga Rankin spent the past three decades promoting major rap artists like Rick Ross, T.I., Yo Gotti, Jeezy and B.o.B. He hosted various mixtape series over the years, including Strictly 4 Traps N Trunks, Street Lights and his Real [n-word expletive] Radio.
“Bigga wasn’t just a champion of TIG, he was a champion for hip hop,” his label Think It’s A Game said in a statement. “He believed in artists before the world did, opened doors for countless careers, and poured into so many people that it’s impossible to name them all.”
Sources: Instagram.com, People.com, New York Post, TMZ.com