Jamaican reggae pioneer Frederick Nathaniel “Toots” Hibbert has died at the age of 77.
This is contained in a tweet by his family and the band ‘Toots & The Maytals” on September 12.
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“It is with the heaviest of hearts to announce that Frederick Nathaniel “Toots” Hibbert passed away peacefully tonight, surrounded by his family at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica…”
“The family and his management team would like to thank the medical teams and professionals for their care and diligence, and ask that you respect their privacy during their time of grief,” the statement added.
It is with the heaviest of hearts to announce that Frederick Nathaniel “Toots” Hibbert passed away peacefully tonight, surrounded by his family at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica… pic.twitter.com/zOb6yRpJ7n
— Toots & The Maytals (@tootsmaytals) September 12, 2020
The 77-year-old icon, whose birth name is Frederick Hibbert, was the frontman of the groundbreaking reggae and ska group Toots and the Maytals, which has been among the most prominent groups in raggae for over six decades.
The cause of his death was not disclosed, but the artist was hospitalised last month after showing COVID-19 related symptoms.
According to reports, he was placed in a medically-induced coma as the singer was “fighting for his life”.
The late raggae star is credited with naming and popularising reggae music genre with the release of his 1968 single “Do the Reggay” which is the first song to use the term, ‘raggae’.
The Jamaican cultural icon recently participated in the island’s annual Festival Song competition which he won three times.
Other beloved songs include Pressure Drop, Funky Kingston and 54-46, That’s My Number, an account of Higgert’s time in jail on a cannabis charge that is considered to be one of reggae’s greatest songs.
His death comes just weeks before the release of ‘Got to Be Tough’, the band’s first full-length album in more than a decade.
Tributes poured in for the raggae star
Tributes pour in from social media for the late raggae icon.
Ziggy Marley, son of reggae icon Bob Marley described Hibbett as a father figure to him.
“The Legendary Toots Hibbert has passed i spoke w/him a few wks ago told him how much i loved him we laughed & shared our mutual respect.
“He was a father figure to me his spirit is w/us his music fills us w/his energy i will never forget him RIP MIGHTY & POWERFUL NYAH FYAH BALL”
The Legendary Toots Hibbert has passed i spoke w/him a few wks ago told him how much i loved him we laughed & shared our mutual respect. He was a father figure to me his spirit is w/us his music fills us w/his energy i will never forget him RIP MIGHTY & POWERFUL NYAH FYAH BALL ? pic.twitter.com/zIofrbYZU0
— Ziggy Marley (@ziggymarley) September 12, 2020
British comedian Lenny Henry described his music “as constant in our house”
“His voice was powerful and adaptable to funk, soul, country, AND reggae. Rest in power.”
Toots & The Maytals – Funky Kingston https://t.co/iRNOtswHKN via @YouTube So sorry to hear of Toots Hibbert’s death. His music was a constant in our house growing up via Tighten up albums. His voice was powerful and adaptable to funk, soul, country, AND reggae. Rest in power…
— Lenny Henry (@LennyHenry) September 12, 2020
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