Prolific hip-hop and R&B music producer Chucky Thompson has passed away due to COVID-19 complications, according to multiple reports.
"It is with a very heavy heart that I can confirm the passing of Chucky Thompson," his publicist Tamar Juda said in a statement posted to Twitter. "To anyone in his orbit, you know how generous he was with his energy, creativity and love. Both the music industry and the world has lost a titan."
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.
Both the music industry, and the world has lost a titan. pic.twitter.com/jTUl9BNfK4
— Tamar Juda (@LastWordPR) August 9, 2021
Johnson was a part of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ core team of in-house producers called “Hitmen” at Bad Boy Records, a music label founded by the media mogul in 1993. During his career, the Washington, D.C. native helped create iconic tracks and multi-platinum-certified albums that propelled Bad Boy into the public consciousness, including Mary J. Blige’s second album My Life and Biggie Smalls' 1994 debut album Ready to Die.
“A music legend for the DMV and the world. Not only laced so many classic hits, but also continued to show so much love for the DC area. RIP Chucky Thompson,” WNBA music artist DJ Heat wrote on Twitter.
Thompson wrote and produced most of the tracks including “Mary Jane (All Night Long)” and “You Bring Me Joy” on Blige's My Life album. As for Ready to Die, the producer brought in influences like the Isley Brothers for the hit “Big Poppa,” solidifying the old-school-meets-new sound that reverberated throughout hip-hop/R&B in the mid 1990s.
In addition, Thompson also produced music for artists like Tevin Campbell, New Edition, TLC, Busta Rhymes and Jennifer Lopez.
Frederick Lee "Big Bub" Drakeford took to Instagram following the news of Thompson’s passing to commend him for the legacy he leaves behind.
“We made history together. You was a Anointed producer. We talked almost every other day,” Big Bub wrote in an Instagram post. "My brother from “DC.” Your contribution to the music industry will live forever.. FAREWELL KING CHUCKI THOMPSON.”
Host of BET's Video Soul and TV One's Donnie After Dark Donnie Simpson also joined in the outpouring of condolences for Thompson.
I just got word that DC’s legendary music producer, Chucky Thompson has died from COVID complications. He produced everyone from Mary J. Blige, Biggie & Chuck Brown, to Kanye West, Raheem DeVaughn, Craig Mack and Puffy. He was a bad man & a good bro.
My deepest condolences
RIP???????? https://t.co/LIqTU9Fyw7— Donnie Simpson (@DonnieSimpson) August 9, 2021
“I just got word that DC’s legendary music producer, Chucky Thompson has died from COVID complications,” he wrote on Twitter. “He produced everyone from Mary J. Blige, Biggie & Chuck Brown, to Kanye West, Raheem DeVaughn, Craig Mack and Puffy. He was a bad man & a good bro. My deepest condolences, RIP.”
