Chuck Brown, a pioneer of Washington, D.C.'s Go-Go music scene, died today at the age of 75, reports WJLA. Brown had been sick for some time, and was hospitalized with pneumonia last week.

Brown, a guitarist and singer, was known to fans as the Godfather of Go-Go.  He played in bands since the Sixties, but broke through in the late Seventies as Go-Go, a subgenre of funk, blew up in the D.C. music scene.

He was best known for his hits "I Need Some Money," "Ashley's Roachclip" and "Bustin' Loose," which was sampled prominently on Nelly's 2002 hit "Hot in Herre." Brown's song "L.O.V.E." was nominated for a Grammy in the best R&B performance by a duo or group category in 2011.

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