It is with great sadness that I must report the death of Rudy Ray Moore, comedian, musician, filmmaker and actor best known to the world as Dolemite. Rudy first made a name for himself working the “chitlin’ circuit” as a foul-mouthed comedian whose party albums made him a star. In the 1970s, he branched out into movies with his classic blaxploitation films that included Dolemite and The Human Tornado. Rudy was also famous for his comedic toasts—long jokes that were delivered as elaborate rhymes—which earned him a reputation as one of the founding fathers of rap. Indeed, his influence on the world of rap is beyond measure. Rudy passed away in Akron, Ohio, at the age of 81. (more…)