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Death of Jamaican musician Lieutenant Stitchie

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2026-09-30 19:03 UTC → 2026-10-03 03:36 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Jamaican musical icon Lieutenant Stitchie, born Cleveland Laing, died at the age of 60 on September 28, 2026, at the Kingston Public Hospital. His death occurred one day before his 61st birthday following a period of declining health. This decline followed a severe brain hemorrhage in September 2024 that left him with limited mobility and an inability to speak. His wife, Sophia Laing, had recently made a public appeal for blood donors after his blood count dropped. Laing was a significant figure in Jamaican music, rising to prominence in the early 1980s within the Spanish Town sound system culture. He Known as the ‘Governor’ of dancehall, he achieved major success ~~as a dancehall deejay~~ with hits such as ‘Wear Yuh Size’ and ‘Natty Dread,’ becoming the first dancehall artist to sign with the major US label Atlantic Records in 1988. He was noted for his prolific output, once recording 14 number-one songs in a single calendar year, and is credited with introducing dancehall music to Germany and the Netherlands. Following a religious conversion in 1997, he transitioned his career from secular dancehall to gospel reggae ministry. Following his passing, various figures including Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness and fellow artist Beenie Man paid tribute to him. Beenie Man described Stitchie as ‘one of my inspirations’ and noted the path he helped pave for Jamaican music.

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