(AllHipHop News) One of Hip-Hop’s early pioeers has died. Blowfly, nee Clarence Henry Reid, died from terminal liver cancer and organ failure.
The outrageous Miami recording artist represented one of the earliest incarnations of modern Hip-Hop as he got his start in the late 60’s. He claims he was the first rapper to have his song banned. “Dirty Rapp” dropped in 1980 and was not allowed on commercial radio. Other songs had titles like “Who Did I Eat Last Night?” and “Electronic Pu**y Sucker.” He released 30 Blowfly albums since 1971.
He has been sampled by DJ Quik, DMX, Method Man & Redman, RJD2, Jurassic 5, Big Daddy Kane, Main Source, Beyonce, Wu Tang Clan, DJ Shadow, Eazy-E, Mary J. Blige, Brand Nubian and others. Ol’ Dirty Bastard was often regarded as a modern Hip-Hop incarnation of Blowfly.
Frequent collaborator Tom Bowker dropped the news earlier today on Facebook.
Clarence Reid, the genius known both by his given name and as Blowfly, the Master of Class, passed peacefully today, January 17th, in his hospice room.
His sister Virginia and I thank you for all the love you have shown this week. We also thank you for supporting Clarence’s 50 + year music career – especially these last few years. We love you and will keep you informed on services and tribute performances in Clarence’s honor. Nothing But Love,
Tom Bowker
Blowfly had another side to his personality.
As Clarence Reid, he was a far more tradition R&B/funk singer/songwriter that played with KC & the Sunshine Band, Sam & Dave, Irma Thomas, Bobby Byrd and more.
Rapper Tech N9ne talked of Blowfly’s influence in a 2011 interview with Naudwar. “Rapp Dirty,’ man. Wow. That’s one of the first rap songs I’ve ever heard. Down in Wayne Minor, where I grew up in the projects before I moved into the 50s. This was one of the first songs I heard,” he said.
Flying Lotus said, “RIP Blowfly. Thanks for the insanity and the mask.”
Producer Diamond D sent his condolences on Facebook.
“DAMN….BLOWFLY REST IN PIECE…CLARENCE REID #Legend among his many credits he wrote and produced clean up woman by Betty Wright and rockin chair & 90% of me is you by Gwen McCrae
Heres my fav album of Blowfly…the funniest funkiest s### u ever heard “The Weird World of Blowfly” Salute.”
Blowfly also has another album set to drop next month. It is called 77 Rusty Trombones.
