MATTHEW McAnuff, up-and-coming artiste and son of veteran singer Winston McAnuff, is dead.

The artiste's brother Rashaun 'Kush' McANuff of the Uprising Band confirmed his death.

According to Kush, 25 year-old McAnuff was killed in Paradise, St James, on Wednesday about 6:00 am.

A police report said he had another man had a dispute. The dispute reportedly turned physical, and the man was injured. Residents then allegedly attacked McAnuff and chopped him several times.

The police were summoned and both men were taken to hospital where McAnuff was pronounced dead and the other man admitted.

"From what I understand, it was about four or five of them who accused him of being a cop and started chopping him. He ran and collapsed near the house he rented," said Kush. "By the time he was discovered, he had already bled to death."

He said his family is taking Matthew's death really hard.

"Right now my father is a mess. It has really hit him big time," he said, adding that Matthew's mother, who resides in the United States, has been hospitalised since hearing of the tragedy.

Matthew McAnuff was on his way to making it in roots-reggae circles. His Earl 'Chinna' Smith-produced song, Be Careful, has been doing the rounds on the French charts.

The singer was also enjoying popularity on the European circuit. He recently recorded another single If You Want War.