The music world is mourning the loss of Lowell “Sly” Dunbar, the visionary Jamaican drummer whose rhythmic innovation fundamentally reshaped reggae and global pop. Dunbar, one-half of the titan production duo Sly & Robbie, passed away Monday, January 26, at his residence in Kingston, Jamaica. He was 73.
While official details regarding the cause of death remain undisclosed, his daughter, Natasha Dunbar, confirmed the news to TMZ. Local outlets, including the Jamaica Observer, noted that his passing was sudden. In a heartfelt statement, his family celebrated his enduring impact: “Sly helped define the sonic identity of Jamaican music for generations. His extraordinary creativity and lasting contributions are woven into the fabric of music history.”
A Life Dedicated to the Groove
According to The Gleaner, Dunbar’s wife, Thelma, discovered him unresponsive on Monday morning. Though he had been managing an undisclosed illness for some time, he had spent the previous day in high spirits, visiting with close friends. His passing marks the end of an era for the “Riddim Twins,” following the 2021 death of his longtime musical partner, bassist Robbie Shakespeare.
Born in Kingston on May 10, 1952, Dunbar’s professional journey began at the age of 15 with the Yardbrooms. His early career saw him collaborate with Lee “Scratch” Perry and contribute to the UK chart-topper “Double Barrel” by Dave and Ansel Collins. However, his 1972 meeting with Shakespeare served as the catalyst for a partnership that would produce an estimated 200,000 tracks, including deep-cut roots reggae and global remixes.
Architect of the “Rockers” Rhythm
Sly & Robbie were the architects of the “rockers” rhythm, a high-energy evolution of the traditional “one drop” beat. Their work provided the foundational pulse for masterpieces by Peter Tosh, including the iconic Equal Rights and Mama Africa. They were also the engine behind the Revolutionaries, the house band for the legendary Channel One studio, and worked extensively with lovers rock maestro Dennis Brown.
Dunbar’s technical prowess wasn’t confined to reggae. His signature drumming can be heard on Bob Marley’s “Punky Reggae Party” and Junior Murvin’s “Police and Thieves.” In the 1980s, the duo became the house rhythm section for Chris Blackwell’s Compass Point Studios, collaborating with an eclectic roster of icons including Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger, Grace Jones, Joe Cocker, and Sinéad O’Connor.
Innovation and Mainstream Dominance
In 1980, the pair founded Taxi Records, a label that became a powerhouse for talent like Black Uhuru and Ini Kamoze. Dunbar was a pioneer in bridging the gap between analog soul and the digital revolution of the 1990s. This transition was perfectly captured in the staccato brilliance of Chaka Demus & Pliers’ “Murder She Wrote” and the duo’s production work on The Fugees’ multi-platinum landmark, The Score.
Dunbar’s versatility allowed him to navigate different genres with ease, from co-producing No Doubt’s “Underneath It All” to playing on Maxi Priest’s “Close to You” and Omi’s “Cheerleader”—both of which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. His accolades include winning the inaugural Grammy Award for Best Reggae Recording in 1985 for Black Uhuru’s Anthem.
Sly Dunbar leaves behind a legacy defined by a relentless search for the perfect beat—a search that took Jamaican music from the streets of Kingston to the top of the global charts.
