Chucky Thompson, the hip hop and R&B record producer best known for his work as a part of Bad Boy Records’ “Hitmen” production team, has died. He was 53.
Thompson’s publicist Tamar Juda confirmed the news in a statement to on Monday night. But she did not disclose his cause of death.
His publicist, Tamar Juda, said in a statement.”It is with a very heavy heart that I can confirm the passing of Chucky Thompson, to anyone in his orbit, you know how generous he was with his energy, creativity and love,” the statement read. “Both the music industry, and the world has lost a titan.”
Thompson’s protégé, Young Guru, also confirmed the death on his Instagram, writing, “There is nothing I can write that will take away this pain. I have to say RIP to my mentor, my big brother, the man who changed my life forever. You were the kindest person the world has ever seen. You were the most gifted musician I have ever been around. You treated me like family from day one,” he wrote in a tribute to Thompson. “You made a point to the labels that I had to fly to New York with you on every session. You put me in rooms with Biggie. I will forever be in your debt and I will forever be your little brother. This one hurts so bad I can’t even explain it. RIP @chucklife365 there will never be another you!!!!”
Thompson was a founding member of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ in-house production team, known as The Hitmen. His career also involved collaborations with Notorious B.I.G, Jennifer Lopez, Usher, Snoop Dogg, and TLC.
Thompson got his start in go-go music as part of Chuck Brown’s band The Soul Searchers. As a producer, he made hit songs like Notorious B.I.G.’s “Big Poppa” and Faith Evans’ “Soon As I Get Home,” as well as Blige’s 1994 album “My Life.”