Sacha Jenkins dies amid tragic week for the music industry

This week, I’ve found myself deeply saddened by the loss of some remarkable figures in the music industry. From musicians to executives, journalists, and even directors like Sacha Jenkins, each has left an indelible mark on our world of sound. The circumstances behind their departures have been varied, but one thing remains constant – their immense impact will continue to resonate.

In the 1990s, Jenkins helped establish Ego Trip, a short-lived hip-hop magazine that managed to make a significant impact despite lasting just four years and 13 issues. Its content was often playful but consistently well-crafted. The tagline for this publication was “the bold voice of musical honesty.

If rock music needs to exude a certain coolness to be outstanding, Jenkins managed to convey that same vibe in his magazine. However, he didn’t just settle for that. Instead, he took it a step further.

Music has its most difficult week of the 2025 so far

He has contributed to publications like Rolling Stone, Spin, Vibe, and more recently, Mass Appeal. He’s also written books, such as co-authoring Eminem’s autobiography, penned a play, and assisted in the creation of TV series. His directorial endeavors include the highly acclaimed Wu-Tang Clan docuseries titled “Of Mics and Men.

Jenkins died on Friday at age 53. The cause was complications from multiple system atrophy.

As a gaming aficionado, I’m saddened to share that Chris Hager, once a shredding guitarist in the iconic band Ratt, bid farewell this week at the age of 67. The circumstances surrounding his passing remain a mystery. From 1977 to 1981, he was a part of the Ratt family, and later on, he also rocked with Rough Cutt.

This past week, I was deeply saddened to learn about the tragic helicopter accident in a San Diego neighborhood that took the life of Dave Shapiro, a co-founder of Sound Talent Group. Unfortunately, Daniel Williams, a former drummer for the metalcore band The Devil Wears Prada, was also among the victims. Tragically, everyone on board perished.

Shapiro managed a stellar lineup of hard rock acts at his agency, featuring groups like Sum 41, Eve 6, Pierce the Veil, I Prevail, Silverstein, and Story of the Year. He had an uncanny ability to identify what resonated with audiences and what didn’t, and the bands he represented left a lasting impact on future acts in the genre.

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2025-05-24 17:00