Sugarhill Gang’s Big Bank Hank dies at 57

In his own words, Henry Jackson — or Big Bank Hank — was a Casanova. He was six foot one, and tons of fun.

That was his self-introduction in Sugarhill Gang’s 14-minute “Rapper’s Delight,” a song that borrowed from disco and was one of the first to bring hip hop into the mainstream (for more on that, check out NPR’s piece on the song’s backstory).

Jackson died Tuesday of complications from cancer. He was 57 years old.

His fellow Sugarhill Gang rappers, Wonder Mike and Master Gee, issued a statement Tuesday:

“So sad to hear about our brother’s passing. The 3 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.”