Thanksgiving service for Ras Ajai September 26

The thanksgiving service for reggae artiste and actor Ras Ajai – who was killed in Portmore, St Catherine on August 1 – will be held on September 26 at the Boulevard Baptist Church in St Andrew. The official funeral announcement, which infuses the Rastafarian colours of red, green and gold, hails Ras Ajai’s life as one that “was well lived, and a soul forever remembered”.

Ras Ajai, whose real name was Brian Todd Boucher, enjoyed a breakout acting role in the Bob Marley: One Love Paramount Pictures biopic, in which he played political-enforcer-turned-peace-leader, Claudius ‘Claudie’ Massop, who was a friend of Marley. The singer, songwriter and actor was shot and killed in the Third World area of Waterford, hours after arriving in Jamaica to visit his daughter.

Police reports were that the entertainer was walking along a roadway with another man at around 9 p.m. on Saturday, August 1, when they were surprised by armed men travelling in a car. One of them reportedly exited the vehicle and opened fire on the two, hitting Ras Ajai multiple times before escaping. He was pronounced dead at Spanish Town Hospital.

Ras Ajai, who was originally from the community of Waterford, had relocated to New York City where he continued to do music. For many years, he toured with dancehall superstar Sean Paul, to whose Dutty Rock Productions he signed in 2018. Days after his murder, Sean Paul poured out his heart in a tribute posted to social media in which he admitted that he “still doe kno weh fi seh”, but blasted gun violence, among other things.

“If only u had a fighting chance against this cowardly culture of gun violence. Shame on our culture for this … a place where Marcus Garvey and Bob Marley come from, people who inspire the world. It truly sickens me and it’s very sad to see the destructive loop we are in. May Jah help us all,” the platinum-selling dancehall artiste wrote.

Sean Paul commended Ras Ajai for putting his all into creating his art, and recalled one song in particular.

“All I can hear in my head is your song “Yuh know how long man a wait?! did haffi get mad an trow a bomb pon di gate now.” Big chune bro! Talking about waiting your turn to get some recognition for your talents. So many songs you made with so many message dat have meaning in them, not to mention your reasonings time after time at studio or on the road,” Sean Paul wrote.

He recalled how surprised they all were when they saw how well Ras Ajai had acted in the Marley film and that they were looking forward to seeing him getting more acting roles “and grow from strength to strength”.

“Pity is just now the media jus a mention yuh. Shame on them for that but a so life always guh … . It’s unfair an yaffy fight more time. Your music will live on and we won’t forget your contribution bro. Condolences to your fam your friends and fans,” his tribute ended.

His bio on Reggaeville.com states that Ras Ajai was “an artiste who found his voice in the church choir and forged it into an internationally resonant “reggae soul” sound”. Raised in a Christian household, he taught himself keyboard, drums, and bass guitar. Upon graduating from Waterford High School, he worked as an accountant with the Ministry of National Security but soon responded to the call of music. Under the guidance of saxophone legend, Dean Fraser, Ras Ajai “developed a signature sound that blends reggae, dancehall, and soul”.

It was in 2008 that Ras Ajai released his first song, a track titled Black Naturally. His bio states that, among the other standout tracks that followed were Pack Up Yuh Tings, with Izrel, Di Ras Hot and Buss a Bubble featuring Sean Paul.

“His catalogue covers themes of resilience, perseverance, and love – from Don’t Change and Protect Me Jah Jah to Success. Ras Ajai was widely recognised for his distinctive ‘ghetto gospel’ style, blending the realities of street life with uplifting messages and a mature perspective,” his bio noted.

In August 2024, Ras Ajai was presented with a Grammy Certificate for appearing on Sean Paul’s 2019 single Buss A Bubble. One of the tracks is from Live N Livin, an album which was nominated for the Best Reggae Album category in 2022. The Grammy Certificate Ceremony was held in Kingston.

yasmine.peru@gleanerjm.com