Lovebug Starski Net Worth: Rapper Credited With Coining ‘Hip Hop’ Dies

Legendary rapper Lovebug Starski, who was credited with coining the term “Hip Hop” died Wednesday at the age of 57, according to Forbes. Other news outlets have claimed that he was 60 at the time of his death.

Starski's cause of death has not been revealed. Jonathan Shecter, a friend of Starski’s, confirmed the news on social media, noting that the musician had been performing gigs till last week.

“Some terrible news: hip-hop legend Lovebug Starski has died suddenly and unexpectedly in Las Vegas at age 60,” he wrote. “Very sad. The man was a gifted entertainer, a warm, generous soul. He had been rocking Vegas venues and joined KRS-One on stage last week. Rest peacefully good sir.”

According to Net Worth Post, Starski’s net worth is estimated to be $11 million.

Starski, formerly known as Kevin Smith, was born on May 16, 1960, Bronx, New York. He started his career as a record boy in 1971. Soon his talents landed him a job as the house DJ at the famed club Disco Fever, New York, in 1978. He went on to work as a DJ in a number of other clubs such as Club Harlem World, in New Jersey and the Renaissance in Maryland.

Starski struck a deal with Tayster Records, which released his first single called “Positive Life,” after he decided to branch out to Vynyl, according to All Music.

His music career took off when he went on to record a song for the film “Rappin’” in 1986, which was released on Atlantic Records. His first album – “House Rocker” – was recorded on Epic/CBS Records.

“Amityville,” a song that parodied the movie “Amityville Horror” – featured in the album – became the Starski’s most successful chart single, ranking 12th in the UK Singles Chart, and making it to the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. in 1986.

Starski reportedly was one of the first DJs who could rap while mixing. In following decades Starski also collaborated with a number of music legends like World Famous Brucie B and DJ Hollywood.

While most of his fans credit him with coining the term “Hip Hop,” there are still those who believe that it was actually DJ Hollywood who deserved that credit.

Possessing more than one talent, he was often seen by his peers as a double-threat. “He was a great DJ, but he could rap really well too. He was a versatile DJ, meaning he could play in any market and play all kinds of beats,” Rapper Kurtis Blow told Wax Poetics during an interview. “He was very talented and was the first person I saw DJ and rap at the same time.”

After the release of his first album, Starski’s growing fame was temporarily stalled when he ran into some legal trouble and was incarcerated as a result. After serving a five-year prison sentence, the rapper returned to reunite with his old friend DJ Hollywood to take on a fresh set of music gigs.

Starski’s talent and work are famously recognized in the opening verses of the Notorious B.I.G.'s "Juicy."

Fans of the musician took to Twitter to pay their respects to the legend: