| Cowboy | |
|---|---|
 | |
|
Birth name |
Robert Keith Wiggins |
|
Also known as |
Keef Cowboy |
|
Born |
September 20, 1960 |
|
Origin |
New York City, New York, U.S. |
|
Died |
September 8, 1989 (age 28) |
|
Genres |
|
|
Occupations |
Rapper |
|
Years active |
1978-1989 |
|
Labels |
Enjoy, Sugar Hill, Elektra |
|
Associated acts |
|
Robert Keith Wiggins (20 September 1960 - 8 September 1989), better known by his stage name Cowboy, was an American rapper and member of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. He was the first rapper selected by Grandmaster Flash to be a part of the group in 1978. Wiggins is credited with creating the "call and response" technique, as well as coining the term "hip hop", which he created when teasing a friend joining the army about marching.
Wiggins fell into a heavy crack cocaine addiction during the final two years of his life. He died in 1989 at the age of 28.