‘The greatest soundman that ever lived’: Reggae legend Jah Shaka dies just days after announcing a new tour date – as tributes from his devastated fans pour in

Reggae legend Jah Shaka has died just days after revealing a new tour date, it was announced on Wednesday. 

Jah – who was also known as Zulu Warrior – was a pioneering member of the roots reggae Jamaican sound system in London. 

He was born in Clarendon in Jamaica and was based in south east London since 1956. 

He became central to London’s sound system culture, producing successful records and running his own label called Jah Shaka Music – where he released songs with artists such as Max Romeo, Bim Sherman and Johnny Clark.  

The producer had only recently announced a new tour date for August 19 in the days before he passed. 

Tragic: Reggae icon Jah Shaka has died just days after announcing a new tour date, it was revealed on Wednesday (pictured in 2016)

Talent: Jah – who was also known as Zulu Warrior – was a pioneering member of the roots reggae Jamaican sound system in London (pictured performing in Bexhill in June)

The cause of death has not yet been revealed.  

The news was shared by Horsepower Productions’s Benny Ill on Wednesday afternoon on Twitter, who wrote: ‘Rest In Power Jah Shaka.’

Devastated fans soon took to social media to share tributes and express their condolences at the news. 

His fellow Jamaican artist Dennis Alcapone wrote on Facebook: ‘Just getting some sad news that the great Jah Shaka has passed away.

‘The Zulu warrior left us. Very sad indeed. More to come on that. May his soul rest forever in perfect peace.’ 

DJ Jumpin Jack Frost tweeted: ‘The king of Kings has left us. The greatest soundman that ever lived.’ 

Nadine White wrote on Twitter: ‘The sound system was formed as a vehicle to bring a message of peace. To bring people together’

‘Jah Shaka, legendary reggae sound system pioneer, has died. A musical giant who was beloved far & wide; a pillar within our Black communities and a real messenger. Sad news.’

Devastated: Tributes from fans have poured in on Twitter, with one calling Shaka ‘the greatest soundman that ever lived’

Performing: The sound system became a central part of the London scene, but Shaka also toured the US, Europe and Japan

Another fan added: ‘Crushed at the news of our hero Jah Shaka’s passing. 

‘His uncompromising stance, dedication to inspire the community and legendary sound system dances were the standard everyone measured against. He remained our spiritual guiding light thru all he did.’

The Jah Shaka Sound System appeared regularly in London and toured the US, Europe and Japan.  

He was known for his ‘Warrior’ style of music and kept active in the music scene until the days before his death. 

In a 2014 lecture Jah said: ‘When people left Africa for the Caribbean, all they could bring with them was their music, their songs and their memories from home.

‘So, over the years, this is all that people had to keep them together.

‘In the 1950s and 1960s in London, there were house parties – 50, 60 people with only record players. It helped families know other families, which was important at that time because the people were so forced to be segregated.’

In 1980 Shaka played himself in the film Babylon, where he operated his sound system and which portrayed the racial tensions he experienced on arriving in the UK.  

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