In a significant development, Brooklyn-based Hitman Howie Tee, who played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of late ’80s and early ’90s Hip-Hop, has passed away. The cause of his death has not been disclosed as of the time of reporting.
Born as Howard Thompson in London, Howie Tee was raised in East Flatbush, Brooklyn. He was 61 years old at the time of his demise.
Questlove of The Roots hailed Howie Tee’s contributions.
“I feel like Howie was such an unsung MONSTER of a producer during hip hop’s early development——I know De La was a life changing moment for us but Howie was a cat who definitely crossed the aisle when it came to unusual music: I mean for Special Ed he put The Beatles & Ripple in the same box I was mind blown. Not to mention all those little cartoon & showtunes interstitials on “Bang Zoom” & “Buggin.”
Mixing in tv themes & Mel Blanc & showtunes showing Pop ear candy over the hardest beats.
Truly an unsung hero.”
Hitman Howie Tee is remembered as one of Hip-Hop’s most versatile, influential, and discreetly impactful sonic architects. He was a maestro of beats and a virtuoso of turntablism.
Moreover, Howie Tee crafted hits that catalyzed the careers of artists like Special Ed, Chubb Rock, The Real Roxanne, and U.T.F.O, thus influencing a generation of Hip-Hop fans, artists, and producers.
In the early 1980s, Howie Tee emerged as a member of the electro-rap group CDIII, which released a couple of singles on Prelude Records. He later transitioned to another rap act emerging from Brooklyn.
A production partnership with U.T.F.O.’s Kangol Kid thrust him into the limelight. Together, they introduced the world to Whistle, a trio whose 1985 single “(Nothing Serious) Just Buggin’” became a global b-boy anthem.
Subsequently, Howie Tee became the in-house producer at Select Records, where he created his most iconic songs – Special Ed’s breakout single “I Got It Made” and Chubb Rock’s dance hit “Treat ‘Em Right.”
Both tracks ascended the charts, demonstrating Howie Tee’s ability to balance street credibility with commercial appeal.
By 1991, Howie Tee achieved a meteoric rise in popularity. He co-produced the Billboard Hot 100-topping “I Wanna Sex You Up” by Color Me Badd.
The record’s style was instrumental in setting the tone for early ’90s R&B / Hip-Hop fusion. He later produced or remixed tracks for artists like Madonna, Heavy D, Maxi Priest and Little Shawn, among others.
Howie Tee also made significant contributions as a mentor, helping shape the next generation of Hip-Hop creators. Most notably, he guided a young Spencer Bellamy, who later achieved cult fame under the name East Flatbush Project with the underground hit “Tried by 12.”
Despite often being overlooked by mainstream media, Howie Tee’s influence is imprinted all over the golden age of Hip-Hop. His sample-driven, funk-rooted beats provided the backdrop for some of the most transformative records of the culture.
At the time of publication, the details surrounding his death have not been made public.
