James Mtume, who recorded 1983 number-one hit “Juicy Fruit,” dies at 76

James Mtume in January 1985; David Corio/Michael Ochs Archive/Getty Images

James Mtume, who recorded the 1983 RIAA-certified Gold single “Juicy Fruit,” passed away Sunday, his publicist confirmed to ABC News. He was 76.

The Grammy winner began his career as a jazz percussionist, and recorded and toured with jazz legend Miles Davis in the 1970s. He later recorded five albums with his group, Mtume, including their third album, 1983’s Juicy Fruit. The title track topped the Billboard R&B singles chart for eight consecutive weeks, and went on to become one of the most-sampled songs in hip-hop, including on the Notorious B.I.G.‘s