Keith LeBlanc, a pioneering drummer who has worked with the likes of Grandmaster Flash and the Sugarhill Gang, has passed at age 70.
Variety reports the musician died Thursday (April 5), following a battle with an undisclosed illness.
LeBlanc, alongside bassist Doug Wimbish and guitarist Skip McDonald, were the house band for the groundbreaking record labels Sugar Hill Records and Tommy Boy Records. LeBlanc drummed on scores of important early Hip Hop records, including 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.
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In 1983, LeBlanc released the underground hit “No Sell Out,” which was one of the first sample-based songs of note. The track featured Malcolm X’s voice over LeBlanc’s music and all proceeds from the song went to Malcolm X’s family.
The Connecticut native also worked as a producer and session musician throughout his decades-long career and was a member of the bands Little Axe and Tackhead. In addition, he released six solo albums. For his entire discography, head here.
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His story doesn’t end here, however, as Hip Hop historian Jay Quan is working on a documentary about Keith LeBlanc’s life and career — a career which, as noted, included plenty of work with the Sugarhill Gang.
The Sugarhill Gang changed Hip Hop forever when they released “Rapper’s Delight” on September 16, 1979. Produced by Sylvia Robinson, the single is credited as introducing Hip Hop to a mainstream audience.
The song was performed by Wonder Mike, the late Big Bank Hank and Master Gee. Mike, who was plucked off the streets to audition for the group, isn’t necessarily surprised by its impact all these years later.
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“With ‘Rapper’s Delight’ set to be a new form of music to go on the radio even though rap music had been in the Bronx for a few years earlier, I knew that it was going to be a big record because the entire planet, except for New York City and Northern New Jersey, had never even heard of rap music,” Wonder Mike explained to HipHopDX on the song’s 40th anniversary in 2019. “A good record is a good record, but when it simultaneously ushers in a new genre of music, history was bound to be made.
“It’s hard to believe it’s been 40 years. We have a healthy respect and perspective of our longevity, but we don’t trip about it. We pray to stay humble. God loves a thankful and grateful heart.”
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“Rapper’s Delight” became the first rap song to hit the Top 40 on Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 36.
