Mike G, KRS-One, Q-Tip & Lovebug Starski.
If it weren’t for Kevin Smith, we probably would have never heard of the term “hip hop.”
Better known as Lovebug Starski, the rapper and DJ passed away Thursday afternoon (Feb. 8) of a heart attack at his Las Vegas home, NPR reports. He was 57.
Lovebug Starski is widely credited with coining the actual term “hip hop,” during the late 70s. “Me and Kid Cowboy from the Furious Styles used to say it together,” he said in a 2006 interview with City Pages. “I’d say the ‘hip,’ he’d say the ‘hop.’ And then he stopped doing it, and I kept doing it.”
Many people, however, are familiar with Lovebug Starski when he was immortalized in The Notorious B.I.G.‘s classic single, “Juicy.”
Peace to Ron G, Brucie B, Kid Capri
Funkmaster Flex, Lovebug Starski
I’m blowin’ up like you thought I would
Call the crib, same number, same hood, it’s all good.
Several hip hop luminaries shared their condolences on Twitter.
Some terrible news: hip-hop legend Lovebug Starski has died suddenly and unexpectedly in Las Vegas at age 60. ☹️ Very sad. The man was a gifted entertainer, a warm, generous soul. He had been rocking Vegas venues and joined KRS-One on stage last week. Rest peacefully good sir. pic.twitter.com/kHggNAbIsS
— Jonathan Shecter (@SheckyGreen) February 9, 2018
We Lost One Of Our Greatest Pioneers Of Hip Hop…
"LOVEBUG STARSKI".
He Is Also Known As One Of The People Who Came Up With The Name "HIP HOP" Aside From Another Legend "Keith Cowboy" Of "The Furious 5"…
Salute To All The Pioneers and Condolences To His Family.#HipHop pic.twitter.com/AH4bNrSIOg— DJ Premier (@REALDJPREMIER) February 9, 2018
Rest in paradise, Kevin Smith.
