Keith LeBlanc, the prolific drummer, record producer, and collaborator with Grandmaster Flash, has passed away according to his record label, On-U Sound. The label announced the news on Twitter, stating “All of us at On-U Sound are heartbroken to share the news that the great Keith LeBlanc has passed away. An incredible drummer, producer, and musical maverick, he will be hugely missed. Rest in power Keith.” The cause of his death has not been confirmed.
LeBlanc began his career as a session drummer for Sugar Hill Records, working with other hip hop luminaries such as Doug Wimbish and Skip “Little Axe” McDonald to form the Sugar Hill House Band. The trio collaborated with rap stars like the Sugarhill Gang, Grandmaster Flash, and Melle Mel to create hit tracks.
LeBlanc also experimented with emerging sampling technology and created a chart-topping single called “No Sell Out” that incorporated vocal samples from speeches given by civil rights leader Malcolm X. He was one of the earliest musicians to work with the technology and continued to work as a studio musician for Tommy Boy Records. Later, he joined Adrian Sherwood’s On-U Sound posse, where he continued to create successful albums and work on hit records, such as those by Nine Inch Nails.
After On-U Sound announced LeBlanc’s death, Adrian Sherwood co-founder Scott Fagan released a statement, saying, “Keith was a major, major talent ..incredible drummer, producer, and musician…along with Doug, Skip and also dearly missed Mark Stewart, we enjoyed some of the most creative times together that shaped my musical life. Thank you Brother Keith… Love Forever. Heart and Soul.”
LeBlanc was renowned for his innovations in sampling and remained an influential figure in hip hop and electronic music until his passing
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