Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Dj Bigga Rankin Spoke About His Health Before Death
Bigga Rankin, widely regarded as a godfather of southern hip-hop, is marking 30 years in the music industry while preparing to scale back touring and focus on family and new projects.
This story was condensed for brevity. Press play to watch the full interview with Bigga below.
Legendary DJ Bigga Rankin talks 30 years in the music industry, Jacksonville roots, what drives himLegendary DJ Bigga Rankin talks 30 years in the music industry, Jacksonville roots, what drives him
Bigga, the A&R at Think It’s a Game Records and vice president of the Hittmenn DJs, has been a fixture in hip-hop since its early days — from parties in the South Bronx to mixtapes and major tours. He helped ignite the careers of popular southern rappers like Plies, Rick Ross, T.I., Jeezy, Yo Gotti, B.o.B. and Gucci Mane, and is working on a documentary about his life and career.
Bigga opened the nightclub Cool Runnings in Jacksonville with his brother in 1990. The club grew to national notoriety and helped put Jacksonville on the hip-hop map, he said.
“Duval is one of the best party cities in the world,” Bigga said. “When I step into Duval and grab a microphone, everything changes.”
He even claimed that he was one of the first people to yell DUUUUUVAL.
“I yelled Duval for so long back when it really meant something,” he said while laughing. “I ain’t getting no check.”
Bigga has deep roots in Jacksonville from WJBT The Beat’s Come Together Day concert with artists like Rick Ross, David Banner, local DJs and more.
Bigga held the Diamond Awards on June 13, an event he produced for nearly two decades that showcased local and regional talent and raised the profile of Jacksonville’s music scene.
“I did it for 18, 19 years,” he said. “That crew that I built put in that award show — it was so rough because everybody wanted to be nominated. And they also want to win.”
He said the show featured artists including J Baby, Breezy, Kingpin and Al.
Bigga praised the current generation of artists and the ways the internet has reshaped promotion, but he urged young performers to learn the business.
“When you get up in the morning, first thing you do, get on YouTube, read about split sheets, read about points, read about publishing,” he said. “So when you get in a room and somebody asks a question, you don’t look like a dummy.”
He also said it’s important to have a balance between hustle and humility.
“If you know everything, you don’t need nobody,” he said. “All they need to do is take their time and listen.”
Bigga reflected on long creative partnerships, singling out rapper YFN Lucci for helping him early in his solo ventures. Bigga was on stage with Lucci on March 21 for his 30th anniversary celebration concert.
“Lucci was the first artist who really put out my intro. We shot the video, get my BMI, get my royalty,” he said. “Every three months you get the BMI check — pays the bills sometimes, [It] makes you shed tears.”
Rest in power king
#djbiggarankindeath
#djbiggarankinpassedaway
#djbiggarankincauseofdeath
#djbiggarankininstagram
Dj Bigga Rankin Spoke About His Health Before Death
Bigga Rankin, widely regarded as a godfather of southern hip-hop, is marking 30 years in the music industry while preparing to scale back touring and focus on family and new projects.
This story was condensed for brevity. Press play to watch the full interview with Bigga below.
Legendary DJ Bigga Rankin talks 30 years in the music industry, Jacksonville roots, what drives himLegendary DJ Bigga Rankin talks 30 years in the music industry, Jacksonville roots, what drives him
Bigga, the A&R at Think It’s a Game Records and vice president of the Hittmenn DJs, has been a fixture in hip-hop since its early days — from parties in the South Bronx to mixtapes and major tours. He helped ignite the careers of popular southern rappers like Plies, Rick Ross, T.I., Jeezy, Yo Gotti, B.o.B. and Gucci Mane, and is working on a documentary about his life and career.
Bigga opened the nightclub Cool Runnings in Jacksonville with his brother in 1990. The club grew to national notoriety and helped put Jacksonville on the hip-hop map, he said.
“Duval is one of the best party cities in the world,” Bigga said. “When I step into Duval and grab a microphone, everything changes.”
He even claimed that he was one of the first people to yell DUUUUUVAL.
“I yelled Duval for so long back when it really meant something,” he said while laughing. “I ain’t getting no check.”
Bigga has deep roots in Jacksonville from WJBT The Beat’s Come Together Day concert with artists like Rick Ross, David Banner, local DJs and more.
Bigga held the Diamond Awards on June 13, an event he produced for nearly two decades that showcased local and regional talent and raised the profile of Jacksonville’s music scene.
“I did it for 18, 19 years,” he said. “That crew that I built put in that award show — it was so rough because everybody wanted to be nominated. And they also want to win.”
He said the show featured artists including J Baby, Breezy, Kingpin and Al.
Bigga praised the current generation of artists and the ways the internet has reshaped promotion, but he urged young performers to learn the business.
“When you get up in the morning, first thing you do, get on YouTube, read about split sheets, read about points, read about publishing,” he said. “So when you get in a room and somebody asks a question, you don’t look like a dummy.”
He also said it’s important to have a balance between hustle and humility.
“If you know everything, you don’t need nobody,” he said. “All they need to do is take their time and listen.”
Bigga reflected on long creative partnerships, singling out rapper YFN Lucci for helping him early in his solo ventures. Bigga was on stage with Lucci on March 21 for his 30th anniversary celebration concert.
“Lucci was the first artist who really put out my intro. We shot the video, get my BMI, get my royalty,” he said. “Every three months you get the BMI check — pays the bills sometimes, [It] makes you shed tears.”
Rest in power king
#djbiggarankindeath
#djbiggarankinpassedaway
#djbiggarankincauseofdeath
#djbiggarankininstagram
