...
By Maria Vultaggio
Managing Editor, Culture & Trends
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Hip-Hop pioneer Combat Jack died on Wednesday after a battle with colon cancer, TMZ reported. He was 48 years old. The star revealed his diagnosis in October.
Jack created the podcast, The Combat Jack Show, which discussed news, music, race and culture. He interviewed musicians like NORE, Just Blaze and Damon Dash.
When he missed the show in October, Jack announced his sickness. "Internets, what's up? It's your man Combat Jack. In 7 years of podcasting, I've never missed an episode. I got hit with some real life shit. I was recently diagnosed with Colon Cancer," he said at the time, according to XXL.
Read More on Entertainment
"I was rushed to the hospital, had some pretty severe surgery," he continued. "I'm on the mend right now. I'm about to jump on this journey to health with chemo and alternative medicine."
A post shared by Combat Jack (@reggieosse) on Nov 15, 2017 at 7:10am PST
Jack, né Reggie Ossé, coined the term #CombatCancer during his fight. He posted a video of himself in the hospital talking to LL Cool J. "Uncle @llcoolj told me to knock it out. So I'm gonna knock it out!" he said.
He updated fans last month, sharing a picture of himself in bed. "A month ago I checked into the hospital. Today I'm still on the mend. Walking is tough bc I lose my breath. But it's a process. Lost all my weight and muscle," he wrote. "Still, wanted to let y'all know the progress and my focus to #CombatCancer. Thank you All for your endless support!"
In one of his last posts, he wrote about getting a blood transfusion that felt so "refreshing."
Aside from his popular podcast, Jack worked as a lawyer and editor at The Source Magazine. He served as a lawyer for Def Dam records in the '90s and represented people like Capone-N-Noreaga, Jay-Z and others.
Uncle @llcoolj told me to knock it out. So I’m gonna knock it out! #CombatCancer
A post shared by Combat Jack (@reggieosse) on Oct 25, 2017 at 4:04pm PDT
Dozens of celebrities took to Twitter to mourn Jack, making his name a top-trending Twitter topic on Wednesday.
"My heart is broken," We Are Soze CEO Michael Skolnik wrote. "Combat Jack was one of the kindest, most incredible people I knew. I tried to hire him 10x over the years, but he was smart enough to keep building his own empire. I loved that dude...I will really miss him. Thanks Reggie for your mentorship + friendship. RIP."
"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," radio contributor Peter Rosenberg tweeted. "Rest In Peace to my friend Combat Jack."
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines