Combat Jack

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:

A few tributes:

https://twitter.com/rocmarci/status/943506618917912577