Dub and reggae legend "The Mighty Zulu Warrior" Jah Shaka has passed away at 75

The Jamaican sound system operator that devotedly tended to the dub and reggae scene in London, Jah Shaka, died yesterday at the age of 75.

A member of the Windrush generation, he moved to the UK and eventually London in the 1950s. Since, he's established the Jah Shaka Sound System and the Jah Shaka Music record label.

For over 50 years, The Mighty Zulu Warrior has toured worldwide and is remembered as a leader of the dub and reggae communities and as a dear mentor. He looked at music as a source of connection and used it as a bridge between people of all cultures and ages.

"When people left Africa for the Caribbean, all they could bring with them was their music, their songs and their memories from home," he said back in 2014. "So, over the years, this is all that people had to keep them together."

His death was confirmed on Instagram with a message from his family, wishing him "love, power, and guidance."

"Sadly, we have to confirm the passing of Jah Shaka on 12th April 2023. Due to the sensitivity and time please allow us the space to grieve."

 

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A post shared by Jah Shaka (@jahshakamusic)

The news of his death comes after he held a performance earlier this month in Paris at Dub Station. He was supposed to later play International Dub Gathering 2023 and a show in London in August.

Across social media, the worldwide musical community congregates, sharing memories, messages, and thanks to the man in tribute.

Among them are fellow artists. The DJ Jumpin Jack Frost shared a heartfelt goodbye, saying that "The king of kings has left us. The greatest audio engineer that ever lived."

The Bug, a dubstep artist and producer, shared his own admiration for Jah Shaka and remorse at his passing on Twitter.

"A heroic figure who kept Dub alive, when few cared.... I spent many all nighters being transfixed by his passion and selections.."

Maxi Priest, a British reggae vocalist, added that "We have lost another great one! The world, the music fraternity has lost one its greatest pioneers of soundsystem, Jah Shaka..."

Other messages included many "Rest In Powers" and heart emojis.

Jah Shaka's death is certainly a hard-felt loss by family, friends, and fans alike.

We have lost another great one! The world, the music fraternity has lost one it’s greatest pioneers of soundsystem, Jah Shaka…https://t.co/QvYN2KDtjx pic.twitter.com/QeEVXgbcBZ

— Maxi Priest (@MaxiPriest) April 13, 2023