R.I.P.: Ike Turner Dies At 76

Music legend Ike Turner has passed away today (Dec. 12) at age 76 in his suburban home outside San Diego.

"He did pass away this morning," Scott Hanover, of Thrill Entertainment Group, which managed Turner's musical career told the Associated Press. A cause of death has not been reported.

Turner, whose career in music spanned five decades, was as much known for his musical prowess as his familial problems, which were often referenced in rap songs, including Notorious B.I.G.'s "Machine Gun Funk."

His marriage to famed singer and musical partner Tina Turner, which ended in 1976, was allegedly an abusive one. The couple's troubles were depicted in the 1993 movie What's Love Got To Do With It?

Following the couple's split, Ike Turner released a pair of unsuccessful solo albums and served a stint in prison for drug and weapons charges.

He was inducted into the Rock & Roll hall of Fame in 1991 and released the Grammy-nominated Here & Now in 2001.

The Exactly Blogspot says farewell to the inspiration for many a "Slap" reference in Hip Hop Music.