The global Garifuna music community is united in grief this week following the passing of one of its most transformative and beloved figures, Rolando “Chichiman” Sosa Martinez, who died at the age of 65. A self-trained musical prodigy whose talents spanned multiple instruments, composition, arrangement and vocal performance, Chichiman leaves behind an unmatched legacy that redefined the contemporary sound of traditional Garifuna Paranda music. His creative contributions appear on some of the genre’s most iconic recordings, including the critically celebrated projects *Watina* and *Garifuna Soul*, among other landmark releases.
Chichiman’s extraordinary skill behind instruments and in front of microphones took him on tours across every inhabited continent, opening doors to collaborate and perform alongside the most legendary names in Garifuna music, including Andy Palacio, Paul Nabor, and Aurelio Martinez. Longtime friend and producer Ivan Duran, head of Stonetree Records, shared personal reflections on the late artist in a memorial interview, recalling their first meeting more than two decades ago.
Duran first met Chichiman roughly 22 to 23 years ago, when the musician visited Stonetree Records’ studio in Benque. “He walked in and introduced himself: ‘My name is Chichiman, and I play more than twenty instruments,’” Duran recalled. “At first, I laughed a little — I couldn’t believe one person could master that many instruments. But it didn’t take long for me to realize how wrong I was. We quickly became close friends, and we jumped into recording work almost immediately.”
Not long after their first meeting, Chichiman struck up an immediate, deep friendship with Andy Palacio, and it was Palacio who introduced him to iconic Garifuna artist Paul Nabor for the first time. That introduction turned into an instant connection, Duran said, describing the bond between the three musicians as “love at first sight.”
Duran went on to praise Chichiman’s rare, innate artistic gift. “Chichi had not just an incredible voice, he had extraordinary musicality that you can’t teach,” he explained. “There was no better collaborator to have on a stage. He could pick up any melody or rhythm in the moment, and lift the entire performance to a higher level. He was one of those very rare musicians who feels music as something that goes far beyond the physical — it was part of his soul.”
This report is adapted from a transcript of a televised evening news broadcast, with all Kriol-language commentary transcribed using a standardized spelling system for publication online.