Hip-Hop Pioneer Reggie ‘Combat Jack’ Ossé Dies at 53

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Reggie Ossé, aka Combat Jack, host of the popular Combat Jack Show podcast, has died at the age of 53, just months after disclosing his colon-cancer diagnosis.

The attorney-turned-podcaster announced his diagnosis in October via Twitter.

“Internets, what’s up? It’s your man Combat Jack. In 7 years of podcasting, I’ve never missed an episode. I got hit with some real life shit. I was recently diagnosed with Colon Cancer,” he wrote.

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Just months before his health disclosure, The Root profiled Ossé in an article discussing mental health and hip-hop.

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Social media tributes have been pouring in since the announcement of Ossé’s passing:

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During his career, Ossé was considered a pioneer in hip-hop, representing people such as Jay-Z and Capone-n-Noreaga before starting his No. 1 hip-hop podcast.