Jamaica has lost a musical titan, Gov’t and Opposition remember Sly Dunbar

The Government and the Opposition have hailed veteran drummer and musician Lowell ‘Sly’ Dunbar as an extraordinary and influential figure in Jamaican music who contributed significantly to the musical landscape.

Dunbar passed away this morning after a period of illness.

In paying tribute, Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness said Jamaica has lost a titan of music.

“Sly was an architect of sound. Alongside Robbie Shakespeare, he established a foundation that defined the era of reggae and dancehall. From the ‘Taxi’ label to his work with international superstars like Grace Jones and the Rolling Stones, Sly’s influence was global,” said Holness in a post on his social media.

The Prime Minister described Dunbar as a pioneer who integrated electronic elements into traditional reggae beats, thus keeping the music modern and relevant for decades.

Dunbar remained humble, he noted, despite international recognition and the Order of Distinction award.

“His contribution to our cultural heritage is immeasurable. His legacy lives on every time a drum kit is played or a reggae record spins. On behalf of the Government and people of Jamaica, I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the music fraternity,” continued the Prime Minister.

Meanwhile, Minister of Culture Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange described Dunbar as one of the greatest drummers ever, saying his passing is a great loss for reggae music.

“Sly and Robbie produced some of the best Jamaican music; they appeared on many records and backed some of our most outstanding artistes, including Bunny Wailer, Black Uhuru, Jimmy Cliff, Beenie Man, Chaka Demus and Pliers, Grace Jones, and Omi, among others,” said Grange in a statement on Monday.

“Sly and Robbie were the ‘go-to’. They produced and/or played on tracks for several international acts, including No Doubt, Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, the Fugees, and Simply Red. Sly was a truly gifted and remarkable musician and producer,” said Grange, as she sent condolences to his family.

Meanwhile, the Opposition People’s National Party, through its Spokesperson on Culture, Nekeisha Burchell, described Dunbar as a world-class musician and a creative force in the exportation of Jamaica’s culture worldwide.

“Sly Dunbar was rhythm, innovation, and excellence in motion. He represented the very best of Jamaican creativity—bold, original, and uncompromising in its quality. His contribution to our music industry helped position Jamaica as a cultural superpower long before the term became fashionable,” Burchell said.

Through his work, Burchell said Dunbar influenced countless artistes across genres and generations, and opened doors for Jamaican musicians, producers, and creatives to access global markets and collaborations.

“His legacy goes beyond awards, living in the sound of Jamaican music. That legacy places a responsibility on us to protect, invest in, and grow the creative industries that icons like Sly helped to build,” she said, while also extending condolences to Dunbar’s family.

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