Celebrated Hip-Hop Figure Combat Jack Has Died

The hip-hop community collectively took to Twitter today to grieve the death of well-known podcast personality Reggie Ossé a.k.a. Combat Jack. According to Hot 97, the 48-year-old died Wednesday morning. In October, the Brooklyn native announced that he had been diagnosed with colon cancer and that he'd immediately be undergoing chemotherapy and alternative forms of treatment. He died Wednesday morning.

Ossé gained prominence in the digital hip-hop community in 2013 when he launched the Combat Jack show podcast, under his Loud Speakers network. But what made the program such a hit was that he would share never-heard-before stories from the 90s New York rap scene, an era in which he served as a lead attorney for artists like JAY-Z, Damon Dash, Capone-N-Noreaga, and more. Those stories, along with his embracing of youth culture and curiosity for worlds outside of just rap music, made the podcast a hit and, in many ways, laid the groundwork for a slew of podcasts fronted by young, opinionated black people like The Read, Tax Season, and Bodega Boys.

Because of his generosity, sincerity, and gift for grooming young talent, many have taken to Twitter this morning to share stories of Combat Jack helping them along the way—whether that be from direct conversation or by motivating from a far. It's not commonplace for a Georgetown Law alum to earn a spot in hip-hop and Reggie Ossé's unique story served as inspiration for many attempting to make their mark, no matter how unconventional their path is. He was 48-years-old and leaves behind a wife and three children.