Iconic Hip-hop Drummer, Keith Leblanc, Passes Away At 70

Keith LeBlanc, a trailblazing drummer who collaborated with artists such as Grandmaster Flash and the Sugarhill Gang, retired from his mortal coil at the age of 70. The musician reportedly battled an unidentified disease before passing away on Thursday, April 5, according to Variety.

LeBlanc was the house band for the innovative record labels Sugar Hill Records and Tommy Boy Records, along with guitarist Skip McDonald and bassist Doug Wimbish. Many significant early Hip Hop records, such as the Sugarhill Gang’s “Apache (Jump On It,” Grandmaster Flash and Melle Mel’s “White Lines (Don’t Do It),” the Funky Four+1’s “That’s the Joint,” and many more, included drums played by LeBlanc.

One of the earliest notable sample-based songs was “No Sell Out,” a 1983 underground smash by LeBlanc. All of the revenues from the song were donated to Malcolm X’s family, and the tune featured Malcolm X’s voice over LeBlanc’s music. Over the course of his decades-long career, the Connecticut native has also worked as a producer, session musician, and member of the bands Little Axe and Tackhead. Furthermore, he put out six solo albums.

Burna Boy Cancels His Netherlands Stadium Concert Over Inadequate...

Lil TJay Arrested On His Birthday Due To A...

Wizkid Unveiled As A Guest Feature On Shenseea’s Sophomore...

Beyoncé’s Name To Make Its Debut In French Dictionary

“More Love Less Ego” By Wizkid Receives Over 200M...

Burna Boy Hits A New Milestone As The Only...

NewJeans Tease Music Video For ‘Right Now’ With Japanese...

Ayra Starr Shares The Official Cover Art And Tracklist...

But Keith LeBlanc’s narrative doesn’t end here. Hip Hop historian Jay Quan is currently producing a documentary on his life and career, which, as previously mentioned, featured a lot of work with the Sugarhill Gang.

Trina Will Be Honored At The 2022 BET Hip-Hop Awards With The “I Am Hip Hop” Award Earth, Wind, And Fire Drummer Prodigy, Fred White, Passes Away At Age 67 The Original AC/DC Drummer, Colin Burgess, Passes Away At 77 Blackberry Smoke’s Drummer, Brit Turner, Passes Away At 57 Gunna & Turbo Tap Hip-Hop’s Iconic Video Vixens For New Single ‘Bachelor’ Music Video Iconic Irish Singer, Sinéad O’Connor Passes Away At 56 Iconic Japanese Singer, Damo Suzuki, Passes Away At 74 Cole Bennett Unveils “Fly Away” Music Video in Collaboration with Hip-Hop Heavyweights Watch Josh2Funny’s Analysis Of Wizkid’s Hip-Hop Remarks Burna Boy, Black Sherif, K.O, And Others Nominated For The 2023 BET Hip Hop Awards