FOR university lecturer and expert on Jamaican popular culture Professor Donna Hope, Tuesday’s passing of deejay Merciless represents a wake-up call for artistes of a certain age group.

Merciless rose to prominence in the 1990s, considered a golden era by many for this particular genre of Jamaican music. An era that saw the rise to prominence for deejays such as Buju Banton, Bounty Killer, Beenie Man, Lady Saw, and Hope puts Merciless squarely in this crop of artistes.

“I was in a meeting when the news first broke that Merciless had died and I was in shock and disbelief. I had just seen him on a staging of Boombox Fridays and was so impressed with his performance. I even called him and told he we needed to speak for a book I’m writing… but that didn’t happen. So I feel it to mi heart,” she told the Jamaica Observer.

“He had a brilliant career with albums and popular singles. His unique style of delivery also gave him a place in the industry. So he leaves behind a catalogue, history and legacy within the dancehall space. For many, it is that clash at Sting in 2000 which earned him the moniker Warlord, when he defeated Ninjaman, Bounty Killer and Beenie Man — all three deejays on one stage. That had never happened before and certainly hasn’t happened since,” Hope added.

She emphasised that even though Merciless was not in the spotlight, he still held a place in the music based on his history.

“He is part of a set of acts who were the Skeng, Skillibeng, Jahshii, and Intence of the 1990s. Just look at the outpouring of condolences from persons not just in Jamaica but all over the Diaspora. But perhaps one of the big signals that his passing sends to us is our mortality. Our mortality stands before us. He was 51 years old. He wasn’t ill, it wasn’t an accident… He is said to have mentioned that he was not feeling well when he got to the hotel and asked for some tea. That generation now needs to understand that they are becoming the elders and so it is such a wake-up call that we need to look after ourselves and others.”

Merciless, whose given name is Leonard Bartley, was found dead in a St Andrew hotel on Tuesday evening, having checked in alone days before.

The deejay had an arsenal of hits, the most popular being Ole Gallis, Mavis, Len’ Out Mi Mercy, and Mama Cooking. He made a name for himself on the live stage where his ability to create on-the-spot lyrical magic endeared him to audiences.

“The younger generation, the 30 and under, have a lot to thank artistes like Merciless for. He was one of the standard-bearers for the music in the 90s. You will notice how even the artistes are mourning at this time, that’s because they were all connected even if they were rivals on stage. This is opposite to what happens today where the industry is such an individual vibe due to the nature of the business nowadays. Back then all all the artistes met up in studios and were a much tighter bunch,” Hope added.