Hip-hop journalist and podcaster Reggie Ossé, better known as Combat Jack, has reportedly died after months of fighting colon cancer. He was 48.
In October, Ossé explained why he didn’t appear on “The Return of Redman & Just Blaze” episode of The Combat Jack Show. Before the episode started, he shared that he was diagnosed with colon cancer and had to undergo a major surgery.
“A couple weeks ago I was diagnosed with colon cancer. I was rushed to the hospital. I had some severe surgery. I’m on the mend right now,” he said. “I’m about to jump on the journey to health with chemo. I’ll probably do some live alternative health as well so I don’t get caught up in that. I say that to say, take care of your health.”
AKing made the initial announcement about Ossé’s health in a press release:
The first post he shared during his chemotherapy was a message from LL Cool J telling him to knock out cancer.
About a month later, Ossé provided an update on his condition, writing, “Today I’m still on the mend. Walking is tough bc I lose my breath. But it’s a process. Lost all my weight and muscle. Still, wanted to let y’all know the progress and my focus to #CombatCancer. Thank you All for your endless support!”
In December, he shared another progress update. "Blood work feeling soooooo refreshing. #CombatCancer," he wrote.
Earlier this week, Premium Pete tweeted that he was heavily thinking of Ossé. He and Ossé co-hosted The Combat Jack Show before starting his own podcast.
I appreciate all the bornday love and blessings 🙏🏽🎂 but on this day I’m heavily thinking of my brother @Combat_Jack I love you Reggie you’ve always been a big brother to me. We done so much together and all I want is GOD to do so much for you. Your loved just know that 🌹❤️ pic.twitter.com/WZlbw5jIg0 — Premium Pete (@PremiumPete) December 17, 2017
Upon hearing the news of Ossé’s death, fans and members of the hip-hop industry praised him for his contributions.
Hip Hop has lost one of its most important historians and voices... we had serious ups and downs but I was so happy we had made things good... Rest In Peace to my friend Combat Jack.... — Peter Rosenberg (@Rosenbergradio) December 20, 2017
reggie osse was one of the smartest and most helpful ppl i met in this game. he was my listener and i was his. and i hate to know he’s gone. r.i.p., @combat_jack. — El Flaco (@bomani_jones) December 20, 2017
Heartbreaking. RIP Reggie "Combat Jack" Osse. Great man, storyteller and leader. Your contributions to hip hop will never ever be forgotten. Ultimate salute. pic.twitter.com/McK0F9TvYp — Elliott Wilson (@ElliottWilson) December 20, 2017
Damn. Rest In Peace Combat Jack. Combat was a living history book for hip hop and was always down to share that information. More importantly, he was kind. We need more of that. And his presence will be missed deeply, but he’ll never be absent. — brandon / jinx (@Jersey_Jinx) December 20, 2017
R.I.P. to the legend @Combat_Jack. Great, great guy.
life is short. — Andrew Barber (@fakeshoredrive) December 20, 2017
My heart is broken. Combat Jack was one of the kindest, most incredible people I knew. I tried to hire him 10x over the years, but he was smart enough to keep building his own empire. I loved that dude...I will really miss him. Thanks Reggie for your mentorship + friendship. RIP pic.twitter.com/XhWv7YaLEh — Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) December 20, 2017
Rest In Peace to Reggie Ossé; a real friend and a constant inspiration. Love you forever Combat Jack! — Rob Markman (@RobMarkman) December 20, 2017
Can't understate Combat Jack's impact. A very sharp dude who pioneered this rap podcast shit. RIP. — K. (@ThatPersianGuy) December 20, 2017
Mannn @Combat_Jack was a PIONEER for hip-hop podcasters everywhere. A true voice for the culture when our voices weren’t heard. Words can’t describe how much we’ll miss him and the @CombatJackShow. — Tony M Centeno 🎧✍🏽 (@_tonyMC) December 20, 2017
I broke down on the train hearing the news about Combat Jack. He’s been a friend and a supporter for years. A guiding light for many. One of the nicest and most genuine people I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. This fucking hurts. Fuck cancer. — Ben Frank (@BenFrankIV) December 20, 2017
RIP Combat Jack, who let us into his family and onto his podcast, who brought donuts to our apartment and carried stories for days. He left the Lil B show screaming "swag!" and saying he'd seen the future. A great laugh, a great mind, a great friend and a better man. — ItsTheReal (@itsthereal) December 20, 2017
RIP to Combat Jack. I don't have the words. Yet. Gonna go take a walk. — David Dennis Jr. (@DavidDTSS) December 20, 2017
When you can physically feel the impact someone has on the culture, you know it’s real. Combat’s aura & words resonated across generations of hip-hop, especially in the podcast game. If you had one conversation with him, you were better because of it. Rest well, @Combat_Jack 🙏🏽 — Jeff J. (@JeffJSays) December 20, 2017
RIP Combat Jack. No words suffice to capture the multitudes he possessed. A rap encyclopedia who could spin stories about both Bronx block parties & the Paradise Garage. A brilliant interviewer & attorney. A kind gentle soul who understood & cared about the culture like no other. — Otto Von Biz Markie (@Passionweiss) December 20, 2017
At a loss for words. Rest In Peace to Combat Jack, one of the most incredible individuals I’ve ever known — Karen Civil (@KarenCivil) December 20, 2017
Action Bronson, Alchemist, and other artists paid their respects to Ossé as well.
DAMN MAN REST IN PEACE TO MY BROTHER @Combat_Jack ONE OF THE FIRST PEOPLE TO EVER EMBRACE ME IN THIS WHOLE SHIT. MY HEART IS HEAVY MAN FUCK. LOVE ALWAYS. — FUCK THATS DELICIOUS (@ActionBronson) December 20, 2017
Hip Hop lost a major voice today. RIP Combat Jack 🙏🏼 — Emanny (@theonlyemanny) December 20, 2017
Rest in peace Combat Jack. — Alchemist (@Alchemist) December 20, 2017
RIP Combat Jack, always supportive, genuine and kind — N*I*C*K (@catchdini) December 20, 2017
Ossé's last post on Instagram was a tribute to Brooklyn-based entertainment attorney Ed Woods, whose client roster included Diddy, Usher, Allen Iverson, DMX, Stephanie Mills, Jay Z, and Kelly Price.
Ossé’s career included a stint as a hip-hop music attorney and executive and the former managing editor of The Source before building his own brand with The Combat Jack Show. For Complex, Ossé hosted his own version of his podcast for television, a weekly 12-episode series that launched in April 2013.
A rough 2017 just gotten even tougher. On Wednesday (Dec. 20), it was announced that foundational hip-hop podcaster Combat Jack , born name Reggie Ossé, has died after being diagnosed with colon cancer this past fall. He was only 48 years old.
Ossé wore a few hats during his life as a trendsetting hip-hop luminary , working as both a lawyer and an editor at The Source Magazine . Beginning in 2011, Ossé introduced the world to his podcast, The Combat Jack Show , which was effectively the beginning of big-time rap podcasts as we know them today.
Jack first announced his colon cancer diagnosis this past October. The statement he issued acted as an explanation for why he missed his weekly podcast, which is something he hadn't done before.
“Internets, what’s up? It’s your man Combat Jack. In 7 years of podcasting, I’ve never missed an episode. I got hit with some real life sh*t. I was recently diagnosed with Colon Cancer,” he said at the time. "I was rushed to the hospital, had some pretty severe surgery,” he continued. “I’m on the mend right now. I’m about to jump on this journey to health with chemo and alternative medicine.”
Combat Jack touched an innumerable amount of lives during his time on earth and news of his death has already reverberated throughout the rap community. Take a look at how people are remembering the rap podcast trailblazer below.
XXL would like to send our condolences to Combat Jack's family.
Tributes are beginning to pour in for hip hop icon Combat Jack, who succumbed to colon cancer at age 48.
The former Def Jam Records attorney, whose real name was Reggie Osse, announced that he was battling cancer in October and made his final Instagram post on Sunday.
Upon learning the news, friend LL Cool J, 49, wrote: 'Rest in power @reggieosse you represented #hiphop culture well. You fought the good fight. I salute you.'
RIP: Tributes are beginning to pour in for hip hop icon Combat Jack, who succumbed to colon cancer on Wednesday at age 48
Combat hosted a popular hip hop podcast The Combat Jack Show and also its TV version.
The former managing editor of music magazine The Source was lauded by hip hop artists following his death on Wednesday.
Fugees member Wyclef Jean, 48, posted to his Instagram account: 'To my Haitian brother #combatjack may your soul forever Rest In Peace u was and will always be a great inspiration to me'.
Icon: Combat hosted a popular hip hop podcast The Combat Jack Show and also its TV version
Famous friends: Fugees member Wyclef Jean, 48, posted to his Instagram account: 'To my Haitian brother #combatjack may your soul forever Rest In Peace'
Tribute: Wyclef Jean praised the hip hop icon
'I salute you': LL Cool J also gave his condolences
Meanwhile, star of the Starz drama Power, Naturi Naughton, 33, also mourned the loss of the hip hop icon.
The 3LW singer took to Instagram on Wednesday to praise Combat, writing:
'Thank you #combatjack 4 giving me an opportunity to tell my story on your show! One of the best interviews I’ve EVER had'.
Reggie Ossé, host of hip-hop podcast “The Combat Jack Show,” has died at the age of 48, as confirmed by NPR. In October, he announced that he was recovering from surgery for colon cancer. Ossé’s “Combat Jack Show” podcast has been running for over seven years. Launched as an internet radio show, it featured prestigious hip-hip figures discussing “music, news, race, and more.” Guests include Common, Redman, Scarface, RZA, Ice Cube, and many others.
Ossé graduated from Cornell University and later received his law degree at Georgetown University Law Center. After interning at Def Jam, he went on to work as an entertainment lawyer for 12 years; his clients included JAY-Z, Damon Dash, Roc-A-Fella Records, and more. In 2009, Ossé began writing under the Combat Jack moniker for his Daily Mathematics blog. He later contributed to Complex and XXL and became the managing editor for The Source. He launched the “Combat Jack Show” in 2010, and the program served as a staple in New York’s hip-hop community. In 2006, Ossé wrote Bling, a book documenting jewelry’s importance within hip-hop culture and history.
