This week has been a difficult one for the music world. Musicians, a record executive, and a journalist have died from various causes. The latest is director and writer Sacha Jenkins.
Jenkins was a co-founder of Ego Trip, a 1990s hip-hop magazine that lasted only four years and 13 episodes, but its influence was substantial. The articles were irreverent at times, but always well-written. The magazine's tagline was "the arrogant voice of musical truth."
If rock music should have a swagger to be great, Jenkins somehow transposed that attitude into a magazine. But he didn't stop there.
Music has its most difficult week of the 2025 so far
He wrote for Rolling Stone, Spin, and Vibe and, most recently, worked at Mass Appeal. He also wrote books (including co-writing Eminem's autobiography), a play, and helped develop TV series. His directorial projects include the excellent Wu-Tang Clan docuseries Of Mics and Men.
Jenkins died on Friday at age 53. The cause was complications from multiple system atrophy.
Jenkins was just one of many deaths this week, though. Former Ratt guitarist Chris Hager died at age 67. The cause of his death was unknown. He was with the band from 1977 to 1981 and also played in the band Rough Cutt.
Earlier this week, in a helicopter crash in a San Diego neighborhood, Dave Shapiro, co-founder of talent agent Sound Talent Group, was killed. Among his passengers was Daniel Williams, a former drummer for the metalcore band the Devil Wears Prada. All on board died.
Shapiro's roster of bands at his agency was a who's who of hard rock excellence. The list included Sum 41, Eve 6, Pierce the Veil, I Prevail, Silverstein, and Story of the Year. He had an ear for what worked and what didn't, and the bands he signed will influence younger bands.