The Hip Hop community has sadly lost a pioneer today, November 20, 2017. Reggie Ossé, better known as Combat Jack, has died at the age of 48. He was most known to rap fans as the host and creator of the popular podcast, The Combat Jack Show.
Osse’ was no newbie to Hip Hop as he formerly served as legal representation for the legendary, Roc-A-Fella Records. As an attorney he’s represented the likes of Jay-z, Sean Combs, Damon Dash, Busta Rhymes, Missy Elliot and many others. He graduated from Cornell University where he was a member of the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity and then earned his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center.
Reggie is also a published author, as he penned Bling: The Hip Hop Jewelry Book, a story about Hip Hop’s love affair with jewelry. Additionally, he spent time as the Managing Editor at The Source Magazine and Vice President of Audio/Music DVD at MTV Networks. In April of 2017, Osse narrated an original Spotify podcast called “Mogul: The Life and Death of Chris Lighty,” which explored the life of the late music executive who died reportedly of suicide in 2012.
Combat Jack revealed devastating news this past October via Twitter about learning of his colon cancer diagnosis.
For Immediate Release From @Combat_Jack: pic.twitter.com/3QrbJEIVtH
— Combat Jack Show (@CombatJackShow) October 23, 2017
Upon learning of his death, the internet immediately started to honor one of Hip Hop’s fallen pioneers.
reggie osse was one of the smartest and most helpful ppl i met in this game. he was my listener and i was his. and i hate to know he’s gone. r.i.p., @combat_jack.
— El Flaco (@bomani_jones) December 20, 2017
My heart is broken. Combat Jack was one of the kindest, most incredible people I knew. I tried to hire him 10x over the years, but he was smart enough to keep building his own empire. I loved that dude…I will really miss him. Thanks Reggie for your mentorship + friendship. RIP pic.twitter.com/XhWv7YaLEh
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) December 20, 2017
RIP to Reggie “Combat Jack” Osse
In Black Culture News and Opinions