Two-time Grammy winner and Jamaican reggae pioneer Robbie Shakespeare passed away at the age of 68 on Wednesday, December 8. The bassist/record producer was an integral part of the nation’s music development, helping to popularize the genre of Reggae in the mid-70s through to the early 2000s.
Robbie was part of a duo with Sly Dunbar, where together the pair specialized in their interest in music production as well as working with major record labels and artistes worldwide. It is important to note that the two were part of a revolutionary time in Jamaica’s musical and cultural development, aiding to place Jamaica on the map over the last five decades.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness described in his social media posts following the passing of the producer/bassists saying, “when it comes to Reggae bass playing, no one comes close to having the influence of Robbie Shakespeare. He will be remembered for his sterling contribution to the music industry and Jamaica’s culture. May his soul Rest in Peace.”
Among local acts Sly and Robbie worked with, such as Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, and U Roy, the pair partnered with international acts which included the likes of Madonna, Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger, The Rolling Stones, Sting, Serge Gainsbourg, and Britney Spears. Aside from working with well-known musicians, Sly and Robbie were most fondly remembered for transitioning the genre of Reggae music into a new sonic environment, shifting Reggae music into a more digital landscape, introducing beats such as “Rockers” and working with the likes of Chaka Demus and Pliers to create distinguished songs such as Bam Bam and Murder She Wrote. Both Sly and Robbie were so integral in the industry’s shift into an electronic-driven territory, they have been regarded as the pioneers of the transition and without them, Jamaica’s music would perhaps not have been where it is today.
Not only did they help to carry out this transition, Sly and Robbie also created their own production company and record label called Taxi and featured on major Reggae albums from the likes of Peter Tosh, Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs, and Barrington Levy. Their pioneering success led them to collaborate with Island Records’ Chris Blackwell who used their expertise on Grace Jones’ 1981 project entitled Nightclubbing LP. The peak of their success as a partnership came in 1985. The Grammy had enlisted a category for Best Reggae Anthem for the first time and the award went to Black Uhuru’s Anthem, a project which Sly and Robbie worked on.
Growing up in Eastern Kingston, Robbie Shakespeare was always fascinated by music. It was his destiny ever since he learned how to play the guitar. Meeting Sly was just the perfect fusion he needed to fulfill his potential and together the two became one of the greatest partnerships in the nation’s history. One-half of the pair may have departed, but the music and his influence will live on for years to come.
