Chucky Thompson, Grammy-nominated producer and songwriter who crafted hits for the Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, Nas and many others, has died. A native of Washington, D.C., there are reports that Thompson was battling COVID-19, but the hitmaker's family has yet to issue a statement.
A member of Sean "Diddy" Combs' famed Hitmen production team in the 1990s, Thompson was among the collective who formed the bedrock of the Bad Boy Records sound. Alongside Combs, Thompson, Easy Moe Bee and Deric “D-Dot” Angeletti helped launch the label into the upper echelon of urban music.
Thompson's one-time protege, producer Young Guru, shared the news, with an Instagram post in tribute to his mentor.
“There is nothing I can write that will take away this pain,” Guru (real name Gimel Keaton) wrote alongside a picture of him and Thompson. “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. 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.
He added: “I will forever be in your debt and I will forever be your little brother. This one hurts so bad I can even explain it. RIP @chucklife365 there will never be another you!!!!”
RIP Chucky Thompson it sounda awkward typing this great guy as well as musician pic.twitter.com/sp7Ngyw1k8
— IG : BUCKWILD_DITC (@BUCKWILD_DITC) August 9, 2021