Reggae legend Max Romeo, known for his provocative tracks like ‘Chase the Devil’ and ‘War Ina Babylon,’ has passed away at 80 after heart complications in Jamaica.
Max Romeo, a Jamaican reggae artist known for his provocative and iconic tracks such as ‘Chase the Devil’ and ‘War Ina Babylon,’ has passed away at the age of 80. The singer, also known as Maxie Smith to his family and friends, died after heart complications in Saint Andrew Parish, Jamaica.
Max Romeo is a renowned Jamaican singer and songwriter known for his unique blend of roots reggae, rocksteady, and ska music.
Born Maxwell Livingston Smith in 1944, he rose to fame with hits like 'Wickedest' and 'Chase the Devil.' As a key figure in the development of reggae music, Romeo's work has been widely influential, collaborating with artists such as Lee 'Scratch' Perry and The Upsetters.
His distinctive voice and socially conscious lyrics have cemented his place in Jamaican music history.
Romeo‘s music career began in the late 1960s with his hit single ‘Wet Dream,’ which became a UK Top 10 single despite being banned by the BBC. The song spent 25 weeks in the charts, cementing his legacy as one of the world’s most recognizable reggae voices.
Max Romeo, born Maxwell Livingston Smith, is a Jamaican singer and songwriter.
He rose to fame in the 1960s with his unique blend of reggae, rocksteady, and ska music.
Known for his powerful voice and thought-provoking lyrics, Max Romeo has released numerous hit songs, including 'Wark It', 'Chase the Devil', and 'One Step Forward'.
His music often addresses social issues, such as poverty and inequality, making him a respected figure in the reggae community.
Romeo‘s music became synonymous with the Jamaican social democracy movement of the 1970s. His song ‘Let the Power Fall on I’ became a ballad for Jamaica’s People’s National party during its successful 1972 election campaign, showcasing his influence on the country’s politics.
Jamaica's government has implemented various policies and programs to promote social democracy, a system that aims to balance individual freedoms with economic equality.
The country's Labour Party, led by Michael Manley in the 1970s, introduced measures such as nationalization of key industries, increased public spending, and land reform.
These efforts aimed to reduce income inequality and improve living standards for low-income citizens.
According to a World Bank report, Jamaica's poverty rate decreased from 34% in 1985 to 22% in 1993 during this period.
However, the country has since faced economic challenges, including high debt levels and corruption.
His 1976 album ‘War Ina Babylon,’ released on Island Records and backed by Jamaican band the Upsetters, is widely regarded as a classic of the roots reggae era. The album featured ‘Chase the Devil,’ a song that has since been sampled by artists across genres, including the Prodigy and Kanye West.
Romeo later moved to New York in 1978, where he co-wrote and starred in the musical ‘Reggae.’ He also performed backing vocals on the Rolling Stones‘ track ‘Dance (On Their Emotional Rescue)’ album.
- theguardian.com | Jamaican reggae artist Max Romeo dies aged 80
