Sugarhill Gang member Big Bank Hank passed away Tuesday morning (Nov. 11) after a battle with cancer.
“Big Bank Hank,” whose real name was Henry Jackson, died early Tuesday in Englewood, New Jersey, according to David Mallie, who manages the two surviving Sugarhill Gang members. The New York native was 57.
With their 1979 hit “Rapper’s Delight,” the group introduced hip-hop to mainstream music.
“So sad to hear of our brother’s passing. Rest in peace Big Bank,” his group mates Wonder Mike and Mister Gee told the site.
Information from CNN.com, TMZ.com and BET.com contributed to this report.
