For two decades, emerging Jamaican singer-songwriters have looked to one iconic figure as the gold standard of the craft: Ernie Smith, who passed away on April 16 at the age of 80 at Miami’s University of Miami Hospital, leaving behind an enduring mark on reggae and Caribbean music. The legendary performer, who defined Jamaican singer-songwriter culture in the 1970s as Federal Records’ leading artist in Kingston, had been admitted to the hospital two weeks prior for surgery, and his death has prompted an outpouring of respect from peers and the next generation of musical talent he inspired.
Smith’s decades-long catalog features some of reggae’s most beloved tracks, including chart-topping hits like *Pitta Patta*, Life is Just For Living, and *I For Jesus*, alongside fan favorites such as Sunday Morning Coming Down and *Duppy Gunman*. His signature folksy style carved out a unique space for him during the golden age of roots-reggae, earning him a broad, loyal cross-regional following that endures to this day. For newer artists like Jamaican performer G Cole, who also grew up in St Ann alongside Smith, the late legend was more than an icon — he was a close friend and lifelong inspiration.
Within days of Smith’s passing, G Cole teamed up with producer Ed Robinson to release *There Goes That Man*, a heartfelt tribute honoring Smith’s unparalleled talent and influence. The track dropped on April 28, and it comes on the heels of a years-long friendship between the two St Ann-born musicians. “I first met Ernie in 2023, and you’d swear we’ve known each other for years. That was one of his great attributes,” G Cole shared in an interview, reflecting on their instant bond.
The pair shared the stage most recently last December, performing together at a fundraising concert in Riviera Beach, located in southeastern Florida. G Cole was able to connect with Smith one final time before his death: he spoke to the legend by phone after the December show, and visited him just 24 hours before he passed at the Miami hospital. During that final visit, G Cole fulfilled an unmet promise to Smith: the late singer was a fan of G Cole’s track *Old Days*, which G Cole was supposed to perform at Smith’s birthday party before the event was canceled. Sitting by Smith’s hospital bed, G Cole sang the song for him one last time.
Beyond music, G Cole’s admiration for Smith extended to his character and lifelong dedication to his craft. “As an artiste, he was an enigma. Big voice, awesome storyteller, his smile was as big as his voice, and he lived for that stage. No doctor, no management could keep him off it,” G Cole recalled. “A true showman, and he loved his fans as much as they loved him.”
A longtime resident of South Florida, G Cole has already dropped three full-length albums, with his fourth collection scheduled to hit streaming services and record shelves this summer. For fans of Ernie Smith, a public thanksgiving service to honor his life and legacy will be held on May 16 at Metropolitan Baptist Church in Davie, South Florida, bringing together loved ones, fans, and fellow artists to celebrate the decades of joy and music he brought to the world.