The Bronx-born Hank was one third of the Sugarhill Gang, which released the song "Rapper's Delight" in 1979. Along with being considered one of the top songs in the genre of all time, it's also considered by many as the track that helped popularize hip-hop across the United States - even entered into the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry in 2011 for its historical significance. Jackson was only 22 years old at the time of its recording and release.