The Delfonics founder dies at 63

Fugees hit Ready or Not borrows from The Delfonics

Randy Cain, a founding member of US vocal soul group The Delfonics - who influenced hip-hop acts including The Fugees - has died at the age of 63.

The Philadelphia group, whose hits include La-La (Means I Love You), won an R&B Grammy in 1970 for their song Didn't I Blow Your Mind This Time.

Cain formed the group with school friends, including brothers William and Wilbert Hart, in the late 1960s.

He died at his home in Maple Shade, New Jersey, on Thursday.

The cause of death is not clear.

Cain quit the band in 1971 and formed soul quintet Blue Magic, who had a huge US hit with Sideshow.

He went on to perform with later incarnations of The Delfonics.

The band's music has been sampled by a number of hip-hop artists including Notorious BIG and Missy Elliott.

The chorus of Ready or Not by The Fugees - a 1996 UK number one - borrows from The Delfonics' 1969 hit Ready Or Not Here I Come (Can't Hide From Love).