Mtume is most notable for his 1983 song, “Juicy Fruit,” which was sampled by late great Notorious B.I.G. for his first official single, “Juicy” in 1994. Philadelphia-born percussionist James Mtume has reportedly passed away at the age of 75. Confirmed by Lisa Lucas on Twitter, his niece wrote, “So much loss. So much grief. Rest in power to Uncle Mtume. My late father’s partner-in-crime[.] The co-creator of the songs of my life (and about my birth!). He was [an] essential part of the life of the man who made me, therefore me too. Gone now. He will be dearly, eternally missed.”
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