Keith LeBlanc, the legendary hip-hop drummer who worked with Grandmaster Flash, Melle Mel, Sugar Hill Gang, and other prominent pioneers in the 1970s and early 1980s, has died at the age of 69.
According to Variety, LeBlanc’s passing was confirmed by his wife, Fran LeBlanc. She did not provide specifics on what illness her husband battled, the publication reports.
Interestingly, LeBlanc was a White man who wrote the hit song “No Sell Out” in 1983. It featured venerated militant leader Malcolm X’s voice, which played over LeBlanc’s synthesizers and drums. The song reportedly reached No. 60 on the British singles charts, and all the proceeds from the critically acclaimed single were given to Malcolm X’s surviving family.
Born and raised in Bristol, Connecticut, home of ESPN, LeBlanc began playing drums after being inspired by Ringo Starr of The Beatles. After moving to New York, LeBlanc successfully auditioned to be a part of the house band at Sugar Hill Records and wound up playing on the records for Kool Moe Dee & the Treacherous 3, the Crash Crew, the Funky 4+ 1 and then later with the Force M.D.s.
LeBlanc later expanded his portfolio by working with rock artists before going into blues with the group Little Axe. He released six albums throughout his career, including the compilation Stop the Confusion (Global Interference) in 2005.
Rap historian Jay Quan, who honored LeBlanc both during his life and posthumously, is reportedly finishing up a documentary that details LeBlanc’s seminal contributions to the influential hip-hop genre.
