Legendary Florida hip-hop DJ Bigga Rankin dies at 50
Legendary Florida hip-hop DJ Bigga Rankin has reportedly died at 50.
The DJ, who was also a promoter and music executive, worked with and spotlighted the likes of Rick Ross, Gucci Mane, Yo Gotti, 2 Chainz, Plies, Young Dolph and YFN Lucci.
According to The Jasmine Brand, news of Rankin’s death surfaced on the morning of July 20th.
Friends and collaborators took to the comments of his Instagram posts to pay tribute to the DJ, who was widely known as the “godfather of southern hip-hop.”
One person wrote, “Rest up Bigga, you will be truly missed. A Real legend, man I can write a book of the things we did together, many nights in the clubs, 25 city tours, Daytona Spring breaks etc…”
Another said, “Long live the biggest & best DJ I’ve ever met and helped me in my real life & my company Rap Star Promotion – thank u for hosting my mixtapes & giving me wisdom and bringing people on my calls. Love u forever OG.”
Someone else added, “RIP to the OG. He helped me CHANGE MY LIFE. Put me on the road with #GucciMane but before that he used to bring me from Tallahassee to Duval to do my thing and eventually into the LEGENDARY COOL RUNNING DJ’s Rest well.”
Just last month, Bigga Rankin spoke to News4Jax about his health issues in recent years.
“I had COVID. I was in there for a while at the hospital,” he said. “And then I lost my kidney. So I do dialysis three times a week now. I’m still on the road doing my shows. It’s God.”
He added, “Without God, we have been nothing. You’ve got to have God in your life to really live a beautiful life.”