Hip hop figure Combat Jack has passed away
Revered hip hop figure Combat Jack (real name Reggie Ossé) — known for his time as an entertainment lawyer, a podcast host, and more — has passed away at 48 years old after a battle with colon cancer. Uproxx reports:
Combat Jack was best known as the host of the popular podcast The Combat Jack Show, where he profiled and interviewed other luminaries of the hip-hop community, including the late Chris Lighty, who he knew personally through his many years working as a label executive and entertainment lawyer. He represented hip-hop entertainers such as Jay Z, Damon Dash, DJ Clark Kent, Nice & Smooth, Capone-N-Noreaga, Deric “D. Dot” Angelettie, Ski Beatz, and others, starting from an internship in legal affairs for Def Jam Recordings.
Combat was fond of acting as a generational bridge in rap, often providing explanations and guidance of complex industry standards for up-and-coming artists, and urging patience with the younger acts for fans and impresarios of his own generation. He acknowledged that hip-hop is a youth culture while standing up for the history of rap and its place within the culture.
UPDATE:
Pay your respects to a legend. #RIPCombatJack pic.twitter.com/OOXwBPjK2D
— Combat Jack Show (@CombatJackShow) December 24, 2017
A few tributes:
Rest in peace Combat Jack.
— Alchemist Type Beat (@Alchemist) December 20, 2017
WOW, INCREDIBLY SAD TO HAVE TO SAY RIP COMBAT JACK…. THIS IS SO HEARTBREAKING. COMBAT GAVE US A PLATFORM AND A LOOK WHEN MANY WOULDNT. THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER, TRUE LEGEND. OUR HEARTS GO OUT TO HIS FAMILY/FRIENDS.
— BLACK LIVES MATTER (@BICFOREVER) December 20, 2017
R.I.P. to the legend @Combat_Jack. Great, great guy.
life is short.
— Andrew Barber (@fakeshoredrive) December 20, 2017
DAMN MAN REST IN PEACE TO MY BROTHER @Combat_Jack ONE OF THE FIRST PEOPLE TO EVER EMBRACE ME IN THIS WHOLE SHIT. MY HEART IS HEAVY MAN FUCK. LOVE ALWAYS.
— *EL COCODRILLO TURBO* (@ActionBronson) December 20, 2017
Hip Hop has lost one of its most important historians and voices… we had serious ups and downs but I was so happy we had made things good… Rest In Peace to my friend Combat Jack….
— Peter Rosenberg (@Rosenbergradio) December 20, 2017
https://twitter.com/rocmarci/status/943506618917912577
Rest In Peace @Combat_Jack pic.twitter.com/sBPN3kKGKf
— Dreamville (@Dreamville) December 20, 2017
The most sincere interview I’ve ever had was on his podcast. Rest In Power Combat Jack. 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/zyxzWvjZgc
— Stalley (@Stalley) December 20, 2017