Henry Jackson, better known as Big Bank Hank from the early ’80s rap trio The Sugarhill Gang, passed away this week at just 58 years old after a battle with cancer. The industry pioneer’s career began with him as a music manager for hip-hop artists Grandmaster Caz and the Cold Crush Brothers. He was discovered as a rapper by Sylvia Robinson, who teamed him up with Wonder Mike and Master Gee. With them, Big Bank Hank’s lyrics—ghostwritten or not—will be forever immortalized in Billboard chart toppers like “Rapper’s Delight” and “Apache.”
The Sugarhill Gang: Apache (Jump On It)