Losing Hitman Howie Tee is like when we lost Larry Smith, only those who truly know the transition of live hiphop to recorded hiphop, will understand that connection, but it's significant.
Pumpkin, Larry Smith, Marley Marl, Hitman Howie Tee, Hurby Love Bug, Lawrence Goodman. These are the names that created the hiphop producer.
Hitman Howie Tee had a sound unique to Chubb Rock and I bought every album. He had another sound unique to Special Ed completely locked into his vibe and his young audience, from UTFO to international success with Real Roxanne and on and on. If I saw his name producing a record I bought it.
If so called hiphop or rap fans don't know his name or his work then thats their sad, pathetic loss, their DJ's have never educated them. Hitman Howie Tee made great music and produced real hiphop recordings. True songs that proved rap could be put together as great as any Quincy jones record, with crystal clear verses, full catchy choruses, bridges and even solo's [as his synth sax solo in the party classic "
Treat Em Right"] His beats knock to this day, and can be rediscovered at anytime, as just like Clarence Avant used to quote Shakespeare: The Earth has Music for those who Listen.
Oh and fun fact, Howie was born here in the UK
Rest in Peace Hitman Howie Tee, thank you for the music.
Ten