ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has expressed sadness at the sudden death of renowned soca artiste Ricardo Drue earlier this week.

In a statement, Prime Minister Gaston Browne said Ricardo Drue “was clearly an emerging talent who commanded attention, applause and appreciation throughout the country of his birth, Antigua and Barbuda, and the wider Caribbean, including his mother’s native Trinidad and Tobago. He was one of the most talented.”

“The youth and adults of Antigua and Barbuda warmed-up to this outstanding talent,” the prime minister noted, “and he had a future that was surely to be extraordinary. The Government stands in solidarity with his family, friends and fans,” Browne remarked.

“The loss of this youthful talent is a significant reduction in the stock of soca artistes that have reached to the very top of their competition. Ricardo Drue was so highly regarded that his death robs soca of a very significant voice.”

The statement added that Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission enrolled Drue as an Ambassador, with the approval of the Cabinet, based on his support in the promotion of festivals in Antigua and Barbuda.

“He will surely be missed since he was loved and embraced by all. May his soul rest in peace and rise in glory.”

Drue, 38, who moved to Trinidad and Tobago at the age of four, died at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre in Antigua earlier this week after he was found unconscious and unresponsive .

He dominated the Soca Monarch and Road March competitions here and had a large following across the region. Among his hit tunes were Vagabond and Professional.

He was engaged to Trinidad and Tobago soca sensation Patrice Roberts.