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2015 BET Experience - Genius Talks Presented By AT&T

Source: Jason Kempin/BET / Getty

Sad news to report. Hip-hop historian and the founding partner of the Loud Speakers Podcast network, Combat Jack has died. He was only 48 years old.

In October, Combat Jack, whose real name was Reggie Ossé, revealed he had colon cancer, stunning fans and peers alike.

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Combat Jack was a pioneer in hip-hop, and set a blueprint for the many podcast networks that followed his footsteps. The former music attorney and executive became the Vice President of Audio/Music DVD at MTV Networks and later the managing editor of The Source. In 2006, he wrote Bling, about the history of hip-hop and jewelry. In 2013, he founded the Loud Speakers Podcast, which is home to popular podcasts like The Read and his own successfully acclaimed podcast The Combat Jack Show.

Today, he’s being mourned all over social media:

Combat Jack is survived by four children. Our condolences go out to his friends, family and fans.