TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Big Bank Hank, a member of the pioneering hip-hop group the Sugarhill Gang, has died, a funeral director has confirmed.
He was 57.
Aree Booker, a funeral director with Eternity Funeral Services in Englewood, New Jersey, didn't specify the cause of death, but said the rapper died Tuesday and that his funeral home would handle the services.
Big Bank Hank, whose real name was Henry Jackson, was a part of the Sugarhill Gang in 1979 when the band had hip-hop's first hit with "Rapper's Delight." It is one of the most recognized and popular rap songs of all time.
"Rapper's Delight" was released as hip-hop music started to emerge as a genre, and it landed in the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. It also peaked at No. 4 on the Hot Soul Singles chart (now called the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart).
The Sugarhill Gang also included Master Gee and Wonder Mike. The group formed in Englewood, New Jersey.
After "Rapper's Delight," the trio had minor successes with songs such as "Apache" and "8th Wonder," but faded away. Their last album was the 1999 children's rap album, "Jump On It!"
"Rapper's Delight" became a success thanks to the late Sylvia Robinson, the record label owner who released the song on her Sugar Hill Records. She was known as "the mother of hip-hop" and died in 2011.
BRUCE SHIPKOWSKI, The Associated Press
Life Legacy
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free
I’m following the path God laid for me
I took his hand when I heard Him call
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day.
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way,
I found that peace at the close of day.
If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it up with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
Oh, yes these things I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow,
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life’s been full, I savored much.
Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,
Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me,
God wanted me now,
He set me free!
Love you always,
Big Bank Hank
He was 57.
Aree Booker, a funeral director with Eternity Funeral Services in Englewood, New Jersey, didn't specify the cause of death, but said the rapper died Tuesday and that his funeral home would handle the services.
Big Bank Hank, whose real name was Henry Jackson, was a part of the Sugarhill Gang in 1979 when the band had hip-hop's first hit with "Rapper's Delight." It is one of the most recognized and popular rap songs of all time.
"Rapper's Delight" was released as hip-hop music started to emerge as a genre, and it landed in the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. It also peaked at No. 4 on the Hot Soul Singles chart (now called the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart).
The Sugarhill Gang also included Master Gee and Wonder Mike. The group formed in Englewood, New Jersey.
After "Rapper's Delight," the trio had minor successes with songs such as "Apache" and "8th Wonder," but faded away. Their last album was the 1999 children's rap album, "Jump On It!"
"Rapper's Delight" became a success thanks to the late Sylvia Robinson, the record label owner who released the song on her Sugar Hill Records. She was known as "the mother of hip-hop" and died in 2011.
BRUCE SHIPKOWSKI, The Associated Press
Life Legacy
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free
I’m following the path God laid for me
I took his hand when I heard Him call
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day.
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way,
I found that peace at the close of day.
If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it up with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
Oh, yes these things I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow,
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life’s been full, I savored much.
Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,
Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me,
God wanted me now,
He set me free!
Love you always,
Big Bank Hank
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Big Bank Hank, a member of the pioneering hip-hop group the Sugarhill Gang, has died, a funeral director has confirmed.
He was 57.
Aree Booker, a funeral director with Eternity Funeral Services in Englewood, New Jersey, didn't specify the cause of death, but said the rapper died Tuesday and that his funeral home would handle the services.
Big Bank Hank, whose real name was Henry Jackson, was a part of the Sugarhill Gang in 1979 when the band had hip-hop's first hit with "Rapper's Delight." It is one of the most recognized and popular rap songs of all time.
"Rapper's Delight" was released as hip-hop music started to emerge as a genre, and it landed in the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. It also peaked at No. 4 on the Hot Soul Singles chart (now called the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart).
The Sugarhill Gang also included Master Gee and Wonder Mike. The group formed in Englewood, New Jersey.
After "Rapper's Delight," the trio had minor successes with songs such as "Apache" and "8th Wonder," but faded away. Their last album was the 1999 children's rap album, "Jump On It!"
"Rapper's Delight" became a success thanks to the late Sylvia Robinson, the record label owner who released the song on her Sugar Hill Records. She was known as "the mother of hip-hop" and died in 2011.
BRUCE SHIPKOWSKI, The Associated Press
Life Legacy
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free
I’m following the path God laid for me
I took his hand when I heard Him call
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day.
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way,
I found that peace at the close of day.
If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it up with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
Oh, yes these things I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow,
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life’s been full, I savored much.
Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,
Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me,
God wanted me now,
He set me free!
Love you always,
Big Bank Hank
He was 57.
Aree Booker, a funeral director with Eternity Funeral Services in Englewood, New Jersey, didn't specify the cause of death, but said the rapper died Tuesday and that his funeral home would handle the services.
Big Bank Hank, whose real name was Henry Jackson, was a part of the Sugarhill Gang in 1979 when the band had hip-hop's first hit with "Rapper's Delight." It is one of the most recognized and popular rap songs of all time.
"Rapper's Delight" was released as hip-hop music started to emerge as a genre, and it landed in the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. It also peaked at No. 4 on the Hot Soul Singles chart (now called the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart).
The Sugarhill Gang also included Master Gee and Wonder Mike. The group formed in Englewood, New Jersey.
After "Rapper's Delight," the trio had minor successes with songs such as "Apache" and "8th Wonder," but faded away. Their last album was the 1999 children's rap album, "Jump On It!"
"Rapper's Delight" became a success thanks to the late Sylvia Robinson, the record label owner who released the song on her Sugar Hill Records. She was known as "the mother of hip-hop" and died in 2011.
BRUCE SHIPKOWSKI, The Associated Press
Life Legacy
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free
I’m following the path God laid for me
I took his hand when I heard Him call
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day.
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way,
I found that peace at the close of day.
If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it up with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
Oh, yes these things I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow,
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life’s been full, I savored much.
Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,
Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me,
God wanted me now,
He set me free!
Love you always,
Big Bank Hank
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