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Sad news out of the music world today, as iconic media personality Combat Jack has passed away at the age of 48.

Considered one of the most influential figures in the world of hip-hop, Jack’s meteoric rise from entertainment lawyer to internationally-known intellectual and influencer is the stuff of legend.

Combat Jack Photo
(Getty)

News of Jack’s (real name Reggie Osse) passing was confirmed this morning by his family.

Osse had been battling colon cancer for quite some time.

After getting his start as an attorney for Def Jam Records during the label’s heyday in the ’90s, Jack retired from law in 2001 to focus on writing and documenting the history and cultural impact of hip-hop in America.

Shortly after leaving the legal profession behind, Jack wrote the book Bling, focusing on the relationship between rap music and lavish jewelry.

Jack quickly became one of the most sought-after and esteemed bloggers in the hip-hop world.

Combat Jack and Fat Joe
(Getty)

He eventually launched his own site, Daily Math.

Younger rap fans are likely most familiar with Jack as host of The Combat Jack Show podcast, which debuted in 2010.

The show quickly developed a devoted following and became the flagship of a network of podcasts produced by Jack.

In the hours since news of his death went public, Jack has become a trending topic on Twitter thanks to loving tributes from friends, family, and a legion of A-list fans.

"Rest in peace Combat Jack. Thank you for always being kind and genuine," tweeted Run the Jewels rapper El-P.

"#rip Combat Jack one of the realest," wrote Big Boi of Outkast.

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"RIP Combat Jack, who let us into his family and onto his podcast, who brought donuts to our apartment and carried stories for days. He left the Lil B show screaming "swag!" and saying he’d seen the future.

"A great laugh, a great mind, a great friend and a better man," tweeted rap duo It’s the Real.

"At a loss for words. Rest In Peace to Combat Jack, one of the most incredible individuals I’ve ever known," wrote author Karen Civil.

"DAMN MAN REST IN PEACE TO MY BROTHER @Combat_Jack ONE OF THE FIRST PEOPLE TO EVER EMBRACE ME IN THIS WHOLE SH-T. MY HEART IS HEAVY MAN F-CK. LOVE ALWAYS," tweeted Action Bronson.

Thousands have let Jack himself do the talking, retweeting this beloved quote from one hip hop’s most revered intellectuals:

"Internets, you know what time it is: Dream them dreams, then man-up and live them dreams, because a life without dreams is black and white, and the universe flows in technicolor and surround-sound. Blaow!”