Big Bank Hank, who was born Henry Jackson, passed away from kidney complications due to cancer on Tuesday, November 11.
- Nov 12, 2014
AceShowbiz - Henry "Big Bank Hank" Jackson, a member of Sugarhill Gang who is also known as Imp the Dimp, died on Tuesday, November 11 at around 2:00 A.M. at the age of 57, TMZ reported. The band's manager David Mallie told FOX411 that the rapper died from kidney complications due to cancer.
Fellow member Michael "Wonder Mike" Wright and Guy "Master Gee" O'Brien expressed their condolences in a statement released on Tuesday, "So sad to hear of our brother's passing. 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."
David said of the band, "[Wonder and Master] had been in contact with [Big Bank] in the past year. They had some great times and created history."
Sugarhill Gang popularized hip-hop music with their hit single "Rapper's Delight" in 1979. Hip-Hop Wired.com said that "Rapper's Delight" was not only a catchy hit song, but also was "considered the moment that hip-hop became commercially viable."
