Robert “Chilly B” Crafton III, original member of 1980s electro-rap group, Newcleus, died on Tuesday after suffering a serious stroke. The rapper and bassist passed away in Brooklyn at the age of 47.
Newcleus formed in 1977 in Brooklyn, emerging to introduce a new kind of rap genre, inspired by Afrika Bambaataa’s hit record “Planet Rock.” The group is recognized for integrating electronica music with the newly-developing rap sound.
“Chilly was the musician in the group,” co-founder of Newcleus, Ben Cenac told the New York Times. “We were both self-taught, but he had a more seasoned musicianship in his playing. When he played bass, you knew it was him.”
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One of the group’s biggest hits, “Jam On It” has inspired artists like Game, Mos Def, and Will Smith, all who have sampled the classic Hip Hop record.
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