James Bromley Spicer (May 12, 1958[1] – September 27, 2019) was an American
hip hoprecording artist who released a number of
old school rapsingles during the late 1970s and early 1980s including the classic "Dollar Bill Y'all," for which he was perhaps best known.[2][3] Spicer was managed by
Russell Simmons' Rush Management. His single "The Bubble Bunch" featured
Jellybean Benitez's first
remix.[2]
An obituary of Spicer in The New York Times described his 15-minute-long debut single, "Adventures of Super Rhyme," as being "widely regarded as the first true storytelling rap." Spicer's music was sampled by hip-hop artists including the
Wu-Tang Clan,
2Pac,
De La Soul, and
Busta Rhymes. Rapper
LL Cool J has cited Spicer's music as sparking his interest in hip-hop.[4]
Spicer had four daughters,
Angelina, Leticia, Janel, and Princess and one son, James. In 2018, he was diagnosed with advanced
brain and
lung cancer.[5] He died on September 27, 2019, at the age of 61.[6][7]
Discography
"Adventures of Super Rhyme (Rap)" (1980), Dazz Records - 12-inch single
"The Bubble Bunch" (1982), Mercury (US) - 12-inch single
"Money (Dollar Bill Y'all)" (1983), Spring Records - 12-inch single
"This Is It" / "Beat The Clock" (1985), Def Jam Recordings - 12-inch single
"I Rock Boots" (1990), Def Valley Records - 12-inch single[8]
"$ Can't Buy U Luv (Money Can't Buy You Love)" (2010), Spice Rhymes [9]