James Bromley Spicer (May 12, 1958[1] – September 27, 2019) was an American hip hop recording artist who released a number of old school rap singles during the late 1970s and early 1980s including the classic "Dollar Bill Y'all," for which he was perhaps best known.[2][3] Spicer was managed by Russell Simmons' Rush Management. His single "The Bubble Bunch" featured Jellybean Benitez's first remix.[2]

Jimmy Spicer
Background information
Birth nameJames Bromley Spicer
BornMay 12, 1958
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
DiedSeptember 27, 2019(2019-09-27) (aged 61)
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
GenresHip hop
Occupation(s)Rapper, songwriter
Years active1970–1990
LabelsDazz, Mercury, Spring, Def Jam

An obituary of Spicer in The New York Times described his 15-minute-long debut single, "Adventures of Super Rhyme," as being "widely regarded as the first true storytelling rap." Spicer's music was sampled by hip-hop artists including the Wu-Tang Clan, 2Pac, De La Soul, and Busta Rhymes. Rapper LL Cool J has cited Spicer's music as sparking his interest in hip-hop.[4]

Spicer had four daughters, Angelina, Leticia, Janel, and Princess and one son, James. In 2018, he was diagnosed with advanced brain and lung cancer.[5] He died on September 27, 2019, at the age of 61.[6][7]

Discography

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  • "Adventures of Super Rhyme (Rap)" (1980), Dazz Records - 12-inch single
  • "The Bubble Bunch" (1982), Mercury (US) - 12-inch single
  • "Money (Dollar Bill Y'all)" (1983), Spring Records - 12-inch single
  • "This Is It" / "Beat The Clock" (1985), Def Jam Recordings - 12-inch single
  • "I Rock Boots" (1990), Def Valley Records - 12-inch single[8]
  • "$ Can't Buy U Luv (Money Can't Buy You Love)" (2010), Spice Rhymes [9]

References

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  1. ^ Skillz, Mark (26 January 2016). "Hip Hop 101A: The Adventures of Jimmy Spicer". Hiphop101a.blogspot.com.
  2. ^ a b Kellman, Andy "Jimmy Spicer Biography", AllMusic, retrieved 2011-08-08
  3. ^ "Jimmy Spicer Calls Out Russell Simmons for Unpaid Royalties & Disingenuous IG Post". 21 September 2018.
  4. ^ Caramanica, Jon (30 September 2019). "Jimmy Spicer, Influential Early Rapper, Is Dead at 61". New York Times. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  5. ^ "Hip Hop Pioneer Jimmy Spicer Diagnosed With Advanced Brain & Lung Cancer". HipHopDX.com. 9 September 2018. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  6. ^ Caramanica, Jon (30 September 2019). "Jimmy Spicer, Influential Early Rapper, is Dead at 61". The New York Times.
  7. ^ "Hip Hop Pioneer Jimmy "Super Rhymes" Spicer Passes Away". HipHopDX.com. September 27, 2019.
  8. ^ "Jimmy Spicer - I Rock Boots". Discogs. 1990.
  9. ^ Leticia Spicer (24 May 2010). "JIMMY SPICER - "$ CAN'T BUY U LUV" (MONEY CAN'T BUY YOU LOVE)". Archived from the original on 2021-12-21 – via YouTube.
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