Reggae master Lee “Scratch” Perry died Sunday, August 29, at the age of 85 at Jamaican Noel Holmes Hospital.
An announcement made on the networks by the Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness. Eccentric character known for having pushed Bob Marley in the studios, he marked the history of music. Born in 1936 in Kendal, Jamaica, he moved to Kingston in the 1960s, where he became a small hand in recording studios in the Jamaican capital. Ace of arrangements, mixing and hypnotic loops, he later founded his label “Upsetter”.
“The Upsetter” (“L’emmerdeur”), the “Sorcier du reggae” or even the “Salvador Dali dub” are among the many nicknames of this whimsical personality, essential for his colorful caps and his dyed hair that blew. of the ganja on his microphone to chase away evil spirits before his performances-experiences on stage.
A source of international inspiration
A figure in the history of reggae, his talent on mixing consoles shines far beyond the world of hip hop and techno. “It was the sound of Perry and that of Jamaican DJs that inspired us in the early days of hip-hop,” admitted Afrika Bambaataa, US rap pioneer, in Rolling Stone.
Over the course of his career, the star has notably collaborated with The Clash, Moby and the Beastie Boys. Mike D of the Beastie boys thus salutes a “legend who inspired them” when The prodigy pay homage to a “rebel”, a “pioneer”.
We send the most love and respect we can to Lee Perry who passed today, to his family and loved ones and the many he influenced with his pioneering spirit and work. We are truly grateful to have been inspired by and collaborated with this true legend.
– Mike pic.twitter.com/cmdcnI6hHT
– Beastie Boys (@beastieboys) August 29, 2021
Rest in peace king Perry,
total rebel, pioneer, and inspiration,
May ur bass shake systems and souls forever #leescratchperry pic.twitter.com/oUYyhTLgf4
– The Prodigy (@the_prodigy) August 29, 2021
A documentary – “Lee Scratch Perry’s vision of paradise” by Volker Schaner – had been devoted to him, revealing a colorful man, who thought he had been a fish before being human and who said he was capable of defeating vampires.
A genius artist and producer to whom legend has lent a thousand lives – bulldozer driver, professional dancer, domino player – and who will undoubtedly have left his mark.