分类： entertainment

The reggae music community mourns the loss of Kenneth Roxborough, founding member of the influential roots-reggae ensemble Wadada, who passed away in Chicago on January 5th at age 78. His wife of 18 years, Mirta Roxborough, confirmed to the Jamaica Observer that his death resulted from complications related to multiple health conditions.

Mirta remembered her late husband as the quintessential dedicated musician, emphasizing that ‘He never stopped playing his guitar; he loved music,’ despite facing significant health challenges throughout his later years.

This passing marks the second devastating blow to the original Wadada lineup within 17 months, following the death of fellow co-founder Franklin Thompson in August 2024 at 72 years of age.

Roxborough’s musical legacy traces back to 1978 in Kingston’s Trench Town, where he formed Wadada alongside Denzil Williams on lead vocals and Franklin Thompson. The group quickly distinguished themselves with harmonious vocals that drew favorable comparisons to legendary Jamaican groups like The Wailers and The Wailing Souls.

Their artistic journey included a landmark performance at Reggae Sunsplash in 1979 and the recording of their definitive album ‘Take A Stand.’ Wadada also collaborated with iconic producers Bunny Wailer and Freddie McGregor, creating recordings that would become part of reggae’s golden era.

Born in Westmoreland, Jamaica, Roxborough’s career continued evolving after relocating to the United States. His creative output included socially conscious solo works such as ‘Discrimination,’ maintaining his artistic relevance across decades.

Roxborough’s personal life reflected his international connections—he met Cuban-born Mirta in Miami in 2005 shortly after returning from Ethiopia, where Wadada had participated in the historic Africa Unite concert organized by the Marley family.

He is survived by his wife Mirta, two sons, seven grandchildren, and multiple siblings. His passing represents the closing of a significant chapter in Jamaican music history, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to influence contemporary reggae artistry.

A prominent cultural advocate is issuing an urgent appeal for Jamaica to recognize its reggae music pioneers while they can still appreciate the honor. Dr B, founder of the New York-based DARC Foundation and organizer of an annual awards ceremony, emphasizes that too many musical trailblazers have passed without receiving proper recognition from their nation.

The Kingston-born pan-African activist leads an organization dedicated to honoring black individuals who have made substantial contributions to music, arts, sports, and community development. In a recent interview with the Jamaica Observer, Dr B articulated his philosophy with poignant clarity: “We should give these people their flowers, an’ mek dem smell these flowers before they die. Too many of our artistes an’ musicians are honoured in eulogies, an’ dat’s not right.”

This call for timely recognition addresses longstanding criticism of Jamaica’s national honors system, which has consistently faced accusations of neglecting key figures in Jamaican music history. Numerous artists and producers, including the legendary Dennis Brown and influential producer Duke Reid, received their honors only posthumously.

The DARC Foundation’s most recent Ethiophile Banquet and RasTafari Meritorious Awards celebrated ten distinguished recipients. The honorees included reggae icon Marcia Griffiths, renowned guitarist Earl “Chinna” Smith, Steel Pulse frontman David Hinds, musical pioneer Ras Michael, and broadcasting veteran Garfield “Chin” Bourne.

The foundation also recognized international figures such as Thomas Sankara, the assassinated former prime minister of Burkina Faso; Rastafarian elder Daughter Dean; educator Dr Yvette Morgan of the Morgan Heritage family; philanthropist Andre McDonnell; and cannabis advocate President Scherill Murray-Powell.

Dr B noted the evolution of their recognition criteria: “When we started out we honoured Rastafarians, but over the years we have expanded to include American athletes like John Carlos and Bob Beamon who were revolutionaries in their own right.”

The foundation’s work began in 1994 when Dr B, originally from Vineyard Town in eastern Kingston, first organized a ceremony in Brooklyn, New York, that honored Rastafarian achievements, recognizing figures like Sam Brown of the Rastafarian Movement and reggae legend Burning Spear.

Dancehall artist Alkaline has ignited the digital music scene with his latest release, ‘No Emotions,’ which has rapidly ascended to the number two position on YouTube’s Trending for Music chart. The track, produced by veteran music creator Charles ‘Sponge Music’ Williston, has amassed over 454,000 views since its premiere on January 9, marking a powerful entry into the new year.

Williston expressed profound satisfaction with the public’s reception of the single, characterizing the collaboration with Alkaline as a consistently productive and enlightening experience. He specifically highlighted the professional dynamic with the artist’s sister and manager, Kareena Beckford, noting that their collective efforts foster a mutually beneficial creative environment where all parties continue to learn and evolve.

The success of ‘No Emotions’ is the latest triumph in a prolific partnership that spans nearly 14 years. Williston, who launched his production career in St. James, first found major success with Alkaline on the hit ‘Real Dawgs.’ Their extensive catalog of collaborations includes other fan favorites such as ‘Heart Scar,’ ‘Earn Your Way,’ and ‘Nah Lef Eh Game.’

Beyond his work with Alkaline, Sponge Music has established himself as a formidable force in the dancehall genre, producing chart-topping tracks for a roster of top-tier artists. His acclaimed production credits include Ikaya’s ‘Tek Him,’ Govana’s ‘Live and Learn,’ Nhance’s ‘Dawg Dem,’ Demarco’s ‘Killa,’ and Mavado’s ‘Not Perfect,’ as well as the collaborative hit ‘Pain’ by Mavado, Dexta Daps, and Jay-A.

The single is confirmed to be a featured track on Alkaline’s highly anticipated third studio album, which is slated for release in the coming months. This early success positions the project as one of the most awaited reggae-dancehall releases of the year.

Ernie Smith’s iconic 1970s reggae anthem ‘Pitta Patta’ has been revitalized through a collaborative re-recording with contemporary artist Ed Robinson, achieving remarkable commercial success decades after its original release. Produced by dancehall luminary Mr Vegas, the modern reinterpretation has dominated South Florida’s Reggae Chart for two consecutive weeks, demonstrating the enduring appeal of the classic track.

The creative initiative originated from Robinson and Mr Vegas, both longtime admirers of Smith’s original work. They approached the project with meticulous care, seeking to introduce the timeless melody to contemporary audiences while preserving its authentic essence. The updated version incorporates subtle dancehall influences and enhanced production quality designed to engage younger listeners without alienating the song’s established fanbase.

Robinson emphasized the philosophical alignment behind the collaboration, stating: ‘We recognized the timelessness of Pitta Patta and felt this was the optimal moment to reintroduce the song to new generations while honoring its original spirit. This represented a natural convergence of creative minds grounded in mutual respect.’

Smith, who originally recorded the track at Federal Records alongside other notable works including ‘Life is Just For Living’ and ‘Duppy Gunman,’ granted his full endorsement to the modernization effort. His distinctive easy-listening style during the 1970s provided a melodic counterpoint to the more militant roots-reggae prevalent at the time, earning him particular admiration among conservative Jamaican audiences.

According to Robinson, Smith has enthusiastically embraced the contemporary adaptation, viewing musical evolution as essential to artistic relevance. The veteran musician believes that allowing his work to assume modern characteristics ensures its continued vitality and cultural significance for successive generations of music enthusiasts.