Sparky D, Pioneering Battle MC, Dead at 61

Sparky D, one of the earliest female battle rappers, has died at the age of 61.

On Monday (July 6), Sparky's children made the announcement about the passing of the legendary MC, born Doreen C. Broadnax, on her Instagram Story.

Hailing from Brooklyn's Brownsville neighborhood, Sparky D got her start with the all-female group The Playgirls, then launched her solo career in 1985 with "Sparky's Turn (Roxanne You're Through)." The diss record was one of the earliest response records aimed at Roxanne Shanté, and arrived amid the explosion of the Roxanne Wars

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