Jamaican music stars died at age 53
Here are 2 famous musicians from Jamaica died at 53:
Mikey Dread
Mikey Dread (June 4, 1954 Port Antonio-March 15, 2008 Stamford) otherwise known as Dread, Mikey, Mickey Dread or Michael Campbell was a Jamaican record producer and presenter.
His albums include Best Sellers, Beyond World War III, Dread at the Controls, Dub Party, Pave the Way, Rasta in Control, The Prime of Mikey Dread: Massive Dub Cuts, 1978-1992, World War III, World Tour and African Anthem (The Mikey Dread Show Dubwise). Genres he performed include Reggae and Dub.
He died caused by brain tumor.
Mikey Dread began his early career as a radio disc jockey at the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation where he first adopted the nickname "Dread". He later became an influential figure in the development of Reggae music, particularly through his work with the legendary Jamaican producer King Tubby. He also worked with popular Jamaican artists such as Bob Marley, Lee "Scratch" Perry, and The Clash. In addition to his music career, Mikey Dread was also a strong advocate for the legalization of cannabis, which he believed was an important aspect of Jamaican culture. He founded an independent record label, Dread at the Controls, which focused on a mix of roots reggae and dub music. His legacy and impact on Jamaican music has been widely recognized, and he was posthumously awarded the Order of Distinction in 2011 by the Jamaican government.
Read more about Mikey Dread on Wikipedia »
Philip Smart
Philip Smart (April 9, 1960 Kingston-February 25, 2014 Port Washington) a.k.a. Prince Philip or Philip Smart was a Jamaican record producer and audio engineer.
His most important albums: Jamaican Fruit of African Roots. Genres he performed: Reggae, Dancehall and Dub.
He died in pancreatic cancer.
Philip Smart began his career in the music industry as a teenager, working as an apprentice at King Tubby's studio in the early 1970s. He eventually became one of the most sought-after engineers in reggae music, working with some of the biggest names in the genre, including Bob Marley, Dennis Brown, and Gregory Isaacs.
In the late 1980s, Smart moved to New York City and founded his own studio, HC&F Recording Studio, where he continued to work with a variety of influential musicians, including Shabba Ranks, Buju Banton, and Mad Lion. He won a Grammy Award in 1992 for his engineering work on Shabba Ranks' album As Raw As Ever.
Smart was known for his innovative production techniques and his ability to create a distinctive sound that blended traditional Jamaican music with modern electronic music. He was also known for his generosity and his willingness to mentor and help younger musicians and engineers.
Smart passed away on February 25, 2014, after a battle with pancreatic cancer. His legacy in the music industry continues to be felt to this day, and he is remembered as one of the most talented and influential figures in reggae music history.
Read more about Philip Smart on Wikipedia »