{"id":214703,"date":"2025-08-03T11:11:54","date_gmt":"2025-08-03T09:11:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blackouthiphop.com\/blog\/?p=214703"},"modified":"2025-08-03T11:22:33","modified_gmt":"2025-08-03T09:22:33","slug":"pioneering-producer-hitman-howie-tee-has-passed-away","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blackouthiphop.com\/blog\/pioneering-producer-hitman-howie-tee-has-passed-away\/","title":{"rendered":"Pioneering Producer Hitman Howie Tee has Passed Away"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hitman Howie Tee<\/strong>, renowned Brooklyn-raised DJ and producer who created hits with Special Ed<\/strong>, Chubb Rock<\/strong>, The Real Roxanne<\/strong>, and more, has unfortunately passed away at the age of 65. Born Howard Thompson<\/strong> on August 1st, 1960, Howie Tee spent his early years in England, before moving to reside in Brooklyn. He is credited with significant contributions in defining the sound of Hip-Hop’s golden era.<\/p>\n

Howie got his start in the music business in early 1980s, as a part of the electro Hip-Hop group, CDIII<\/strong>, with whom he released two singles on Prelude Records<\/em>. Soon after, he would leave the group to pursue a solo career. His first reach into prominence occurred after joining up with U.T.F.O.’s Kangol Kid<\/strong>. Together, they’ve introduced the world to Whistle<\/strong>, whose 1985 track, “(Nothing Serious) Just Buggin’,” became a b-boy anthem.<\/p>\n

Not too long after his work with Whistle, he became the in-house producer at Select Records<\/em>, where he would create his most recognizable work. Most notably, he fully produced Special Ed’s<\/strong> debut album, “Youngest In Charge,” with singles such as “I Got It Made,” and “Think About It.” Equally notable are three albums he co-produced alongside his cousin Chubb Rock<\/strong>;\u00a0<\/strong>“Chubb Rock Featuring Hitman Howie Tee” in 1988, “And The Winner Is…” in 1989, and “The One” in 1991, which included singles such as “Treat ‘Em Right” and “The Chubbster.”<\/p>\n

Howie Tee achieved significant success on the Billboard charts, scoring a #1 single in 1991 with “I Wanna Sex You Up,” the debut single by R&B group Color Me Badd<\/strong>. He also worked on official remixes for a plethora of significant artists, including Madonna<\/strong>, Heavy D<\/strong>, and Little Shawn<\/strong>. Alongside his remarkable production work, Howie Tee did his part as a mentor, as well. He taught a young Spencer Bellamy, who would go on to acquire a cult following under the moniker East Flatbush Project<\/strong>, with songs such as “Tried by 12” and “A Madman’s Dream.”<\/p>\n

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Contributions of Hitman Howie Tee will remain etched in Hip-Hop’s history books.<\/strong><\/p>\n

May he rest in peace.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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