Dub and reggae icon Jah Shaka has died

Jah Shaka AKA Zulu Warrior, the soundsystem pioneer and dub and reggae legend has died, according to musicians close to the Jamaican icon on social media.

Horsepower Productions’s Benny Ill was one of the first to share the news, with a Twitter post earlier this afternoon (April 12). Accompanied by a photo of Shaka DJing, it read “Rest In Power Jah Shaka”.

He was responsible for a number of dub and reggae’s most iconic tracks, as well as also running his own record label, Jah Shaka Music, releasing tracks from the likes of Max Romeo and Johnny Clark, as well as his own productions.

He also owned his own soundsystem – The Jah Shaka Sound System, which he had been operating since the 1970s – built after learning and working as a soundsystem engineer under Freddie Cloudburst.

Born in Jamaica, Shaka moved to London in 1956, where he encountered a hostile and racist environment towards Black people, many who had moved recently as part of the Windrush Generation.

In an interview quoted by In Sheep’s Clothing Hi-Fi, Shaka said: “In the Windrush time, in London, on the doors of the houses, there were signs saying ‘no Blacks, no Irish and no dogs.’”

He said that in response, families would building their own soundsystems, as a means of celebrating community and music in the face of hostility. “In the 1950s and 1960s in London, there were house parties – 50, 60 people with only record players,” he continued. “It helped families know other families, which was important at that time because the people were forced to be segregated.

Other musicians and fans have been paying tribute since the news broke. DJ Jumpin Jack Frost wrote: “The king of Kings has left us. The greatest soundman that ever lived.”

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..”

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..https://t.co/Y8LwzN4Lhq

— The Bug(official) (@thebugzoo) April 12, 2023

Read some more tributes below:

“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. pic.twitter.com/WZsKiYHl75

— Nadine White. (@Nadine_Writes) April 12, 2023

It’s a sad day today, as we say farewell to my friend Knocky, the Zulu warrior, Jah Shaka. Shaka played a huge part in the establishing of AriwA
In the very early days he would book the studio weekly, and shared building in Peckham, with Jah Shaka Music operating from the HQ pic.twitter.com/b7GOQRYV1A

— Mad Professor (@MadProfessordub) April 12, 2023

R.I.P Jah Shaka. Had a lot of wild club experiences in my time but nothing could beat stumbling into the Rocket hazy headed & bleary eyed becoming overwhelmed by the power of bass. Formative years, divine sounds, THE master. https://t.co/aINwuV8OvV

— Trevor Jackson (@trevorjofficial) April 12, 2023

Isaac Muk is Mixmag’s Digital Intern, follow him on Twitter