JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Billy Plummer, the DJ and promoter known as DJ Bigga Rankin, died Monday, his family said. He helped launch and promote Southern rap stars including Rick Ross and T.I. and was a longtime community advocate.
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“It is with great sadness that we announce that the patriarch of our family, Billy ‘Bigga Rankin’ Plummer, passed away earlier this morning on July 20, 2026,” the family said in a statement.
The statement said funeral arrangements and plans for a celebration of life will be shared when they are available.
Plummer was widely regarded as a godfather of Southern hip-hop and had spent more than three decades in the music business. In an interview with News4JAX, he reflected on his 30-year career, his Jacksonville roots and his role as A&R at Think It’s a Game Records and vice president of the Hittmenn DJs.
“I’m always helping people...my mama always told me to give without expecting nothing back...I feel like I was real because I’m always giving,” Plummer said.
He helped promote and amplify the careers of Southern rappers including Plies, Rick Ross, T.I., Jeezy, Yo Gotti, B.o.B. and Gucci Mane, and opened the Cool Runnings nightclub in Jacksonville in 1990.
Plummer also produced the local Diamond Awards for many years and frequently spoke about mentoring younger artists and giving back to his community.
He said that he planned to scale back touring and focus more on family and charitable work, including back-to-school drives. He had publicly discussed recent health struggles, saying he had battled COVID-19 and later lost a kidney, requiring dialysis.
The family said it will continue the Back to School Community Day organized by the K.I.N.G. Foundation on Aug. 8 at A. Philip Randolph Park in Jacksonville and will include free backpacks, food and activities.