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(AllHipHop News) Legendary saxaphone player Jimmmy Castor passed away over the weekend (January 16th) of unknown causes.

Fans were alerted that the funk and disco player, oft sampled throughout hip-hop’s history, passed via a family member’s Twitter page.

Eric B. and Rakim, the Ultramagnetic MCs, N.W.A., Kanye West, Mos Def, Kool Moe Dee and 2 Live Crew are groups widely recognized for having sampled the late great artist.

“Bboys in heaven are jammin. The creator of their national anthem has joined them. RIP Jimmy Castor. Essential Hip Hop Ingredient. Peace.,” Questlove of the Roots told his fans via Twitter.

From Jamirquoi, to the Spice Girls, to Pharrell, Castor’s music is ever present in a wide variety of modern music, not only in the form of sampling, but in the actual composition of music.

“Oh man. RIP jimmy castor :( been in my bubble all day. #legend,”Just Blaze Tweeted.

“Another Legend passes away! R.I.P. Jimmy Castor…Hip Hop owes him a lot to the culture…Troglodyte, BerthaButtBoogie, It’s Just Begun,” DJ Premier Tweeted.

Songs like “It’s Just Begun” and “Troglodyte (Cave Man),” reached critical and commercial success as the latter was RIAA Certified Gold.

Details regarding the funeral proceedings have not yet been disclosed.