MUMBAI: Pioneer in rap reggae King Stitt passed away after a prolonged fight with prostate cancer and diabetes. Stitt who dubbed himself as ‘The Ugly One’ due to his disfigured facial structure died in his Caribbean homeland of Jamaica on 31 January.

The 73 year old entertainer known offstage as Winston Sparks started his musical career in the late 1950s on Kingston’s circuit of sound systems a.k.a portable disco. He was best known for songs like ‘Paradise Plum’ and ‘Fire Corner’ and was a close collaborator of the late music producer Clement ‘Sir Coxsone’ Dodd, who ran the celebrated Studio One and guided Stitt’s career for years. He was credited as one of the earliest performers of ‘toasting,’ a vibrant form of Jamaican deejaying that directly inspired hip-hop music.

Veteran Jamaican deejay Manley Augustus Buchanan a.k.a Big Youth said that he vividly recalled his times as a boy watching Stitt’s unique performances in the 1960s. Stitt really did a lot for the music, always had a nice vibe. He was the first king.

Stitt is survived by a daughter.

MUMBAI: Pioneer in rap reggae King Stitt passed away after a prolonged fight with prostate cancer and diabetes. Stitt who dubbed himself as ‘The Ugly One’ due to his disfigured facial structure died in his Caribbean homeland of Jamaica on 31 January.

The 73 year old entertainer known offstage as Winston Sparks started his musical career in the late 1950s on Kingston’s circuit of sound systems a.k.a portable disco. He was best known for songs like ‘Paradise Plum’ and ‘Fire Corner’ and was a close collaborator of the late music producer Clement ‘Sir Coxsone’ Dodd, who ran the celebrated Studio One and guided Stitt’s career for years. He was credited as one of the earliest performers of ‘toasting,’ a vibrant form of Jamaican deejaying that directly inspired hip-hop music.

Veteran Jamaican deejay Manley Augustus Buchanan a.k.a Big Youth said that he vividly recalled his times as a boy watching Stitt’s unique performances in the 1960s. Stitt really did a lot for the music, always had a nice vibe. He was the first king.

Stitt is survived by a daughter.