Rap Pioneer Jimmy Spicer Passes Away From Cancer At 61

BY Erika Marie 4.3K Views
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Jimmy Spicer
He was 61-years-old.

It was in the summer of 2018 when Jimmy Spicer shared with the world that he was living with cancer. He asked for financial help from the public because he needed assistance in paying for his treatments. The rap pioneer was a legend in hip hop history and was one of the first artists to make a name for themselves in the genre, and although he fought the disease for as long as he could, Spicer passed away last Friday.

Beginning in the early 1980s, Spicer began releasing his singles, the most popular of which is arguably "Money (Dollar Bill Y'all)." By 1985, Russell Simmons had Spicer locked down under Rush Management and the rapper released "This Is It" / "Beat The Clock" on Def Jam Recordings. Yet, it was Spicer's first track, the 15-minute "Adventures of Super Rhyme (Rap)," that is recognized as one of the first rap songs to utilize the art of storytelling.

Spicer's daughter shared that her father passed away from complications linked to cancer of his lungs and brain. The rap icon was in a Brooklyn hospital when he took his last breath and Spicer is survived by his five children: four daughters and one son. Our condolences to his family and loved ones. Read through two of Spicer's daughter's loving messages about their father, as well as members of the rap community paying their respects, below. We've also inluded two of Spicer's songs for you at the end.


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

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