It was announced that dub and reggae pioneer Jah Shaka has died, following confirmation by his family. The singer, producer and label owner, who also known as Zulu Warrior, was seen by many as the greatest soundman of all time. The cause of his death was not disclosed. Dubbed as the ‘king of sound systems,’ he also released some of the most seminal records after spearheading the influential Jah Shaka Sound System, which he set up in the 1970s. He continued to perform and tour his system up to his death.
Jamaican-born, he moved to London as a child in the late 1950s as part of the Windrush generation. Recalling those early days, he reminisced: “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,” he said. “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.”
Jah Shaka began working with local speaker builder Freddie Cloudburst and was responsible for keeping his sound system in good condition. After years of maintenance work, he began playing records on the system and started to build his own. By the late 1970s, his sound system had developed a cult following. Such was his ever-growing status, he starred as himself with his system in the 1980 film Babylon. Announcing Shaka’s death in a post on his official Facebook page, the soundman’s family said: “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.”
After the news broke of his death broke, musicians shared tributes on social media. Dubstep producer the Bug wrote: ‘So sad to read Jah Shaka has departed this planet … Rest in peace. A heroic figure who kept Dub alive, when few cared … I spent many all nighters being transfixed by his passion and selections.’ DJ and boss of V Recordings record label, Bryan Gee, said: “Didn’t wanna believe when I got the call Jah Shaka had passed away. From Phebees and Cubies over North London to Glengal in Peckham you gave me some of the sickest nights.
“A true legend and the people’s number one. Rest in paradise King.” Fellow musician, DJ Jumpin Jack Frost, a: “The king of kings has left us. The greatest soundman that ever lived.” He is survived by his son Young Warrior, who also runs his own sound system.
