The global Garifuna music community is in mourning this week following the passing of Rolando “Chichiman” Sosa Martínez, a foundational figure who redefined the sound of traditional Garifuna Paranda for modern audiences worldwide.
His death was announced via a heartfelt Facebook post from The Garifuna Collective, the acclaimed intergenerational musical collective that Sosa was a core member of, alongside Stonetree Records, the label behind many of the genre’s most influential modern releases. In their statement, the organization remembered Sosa as a beloved friend, cherished collaborator, and irreplaceable force in Garifuna music, extending sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.
Sosa’s decades-long career shaped the global spread of Garifuna Paranda starting in 1999, when he began collaborating with some of the genre’s most iconic names, including Andy Palacio, Aurelio Martínez, and The Garifuna Collective itself. Through these partnerships, Paranda’s distinctive rhythmic and vocal traditions reached new audiences across every continent, transforming a regional cultural tradition into a globally celebrated musical genre.
Throughout his decades on stage, Sosa performed alongside Garifuna legends such as Paul Nabor, Andy Palacio, and Aurelio Martínez, consistently bringing a contagious, extraordinary musical energy that defined the collective’s live performances. Beyond the stage, Sosa earned a reputation as an indispensable multi-instrumentalist in the recording studio, contributing his skills to many of the most influential Garifuna albums of the last 25 years. Notable records that feature his work include *Garifuna Soul*, *Watina*, *Umalali*, *Ayó*, and *Lándini* — all landmark releases that cemented Garifuna music’s place on the global world music stage.
At the time of his passing, Sosa was actively contributing to The Garifuna Collective’s upcoming new album, which is still scheduled for release in 2027. In their tribute, the collective reflected on Sosa’s enduring impact, writing: “His music, his spirit, and his extraordinary legacy will live on. Rest in peace, dear Chichiman. You have now joined the ancestors.”
Canadian musician Danny Michel, who collaborated with Sosa on the critically acclaimed album *Black Birds Are Dancing Over Me*, also shared his grief in a separate Facebook post. Michel noted that working with Sosa on that project was a profound blessing, and that the record remains the work he is most proud of in his entire career. “Heartbroken to hear the news that the great Rolando ‘Chichiman’ Sosa Martínez has passed,” Michel wrote. “This is another immense loss for the Garifuna community and the musical world.”