JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Hugs, laughter and long conversations filled the area outside Paxon Revival Center Church Friday night as people gathered to remember Billy Plummer — the Jacksonville DJ and promoter known as DJ Bigga Rankin.
Plummer, described by many in the music industry as a key figure in Southern hip-hop and a longtime community advocate, died July 20, his family said. He was a mentor to artists and a familiar presence in Jacksonville’s music scene for decades.
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“He’s a legend and I just want to be here for him,” said Albert Jones, who came to pay his respects.
Jones said Plummer’s influence went beyond music.
“Because he was an artist, a mentor everything. So I had to come out and show my respect like you was my family,” Jones said.
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“The whole world rallying behind this”
Among those at the viewing were fellow DJs and promoters who said Plummer understood the behind-the-scenes work that often goes unnoticed — especially when it comes to helping independent artists get heard.
TJ Chapman, CEO of TJ’s DJs, said seeing the community response would have meant a lot to Plummer.
“People like Billy… when we support the independent artists and break records and stuff like that, we don’t get a lot of recognition,” Chapman said. “To see it seem like the whole world rallying behind this… I think he’d be really proud because Billy is really an icon in this community.”
Artists travel in to pay homage
People also came from out of state to be there, saying Plummer made a point to encourage artists at every level.
Ralph Davis, an artist from Alabama, said that support stuck with him.
“Just always encouraged anybody he came around,” Davis said. “He touched. He was a special soul, special spirit — so that’s why I’m here paying homage.”
Demarcos Alexander, an artist who traveled from Cleveland, said Plummer’s reach extended well beyond Jacksonville because he helped artists build careers — and kept relationships even as their profiles grew.
“His legacy, his name… is going to live on forever because he helped a whole lot of artists including myself,” Alexander said. “I’m all the way from Ohio. It branched off to a lot of people. He touched a lot of people.”
Celebration of Life service Saturday
The family has announced plans for a Celebration of Life service Saturday.
Plummer was known not only for his work in the music business, but also for community events in Jacksonville, including back-to-school efforts through the K.I.N.G. Foundation. The family has said his annual Back-to-School Community Day will still take place Aug. 8 at A. Philip Randolph Park.