KINGSTON, Jamaica — Shadow Minister of Culture, Creative Industries and Information, Nekeisha Burchell, says she is saddened by the passing of iconic Jamaican drummer Lowell ‘Sly’ Dunbar, describing his death as a significant loss to Jamaica’s cultural and creative heritage.

In a release on Monday, Burchell noted that Sly Dunbar was not only a world-class musician but a creative force who helped define Jamaica’s sound and export its culture to every corner of the globe. His work, she said, reshaped modern music while firmly anchoring Jamaican creativity on the international stage.

“Sly Dunbar was rhythm, innovation, and excellence in motion,” said Burchell, who is also a member of parliament. “He represented the very best of Jamaican creativity, bold, original, and uncompromising in its quality. His contribution to our music industry helped position Jamaica as a cultural superpower long before that term became fashionable.”

As one half of the legendary Sly and Robbie partnership and a co-founder of Taxi Records, Dunbar played a pivotal role in shaping the direction of reggae and dancehall while influencing countless artistes across genres and generations. His work opened doors for Jamaican musicians, producers, and creatives to access global markets and collaborations.

Burchell emphasised that Sly’s legacy extends beyond awards and accolades, living on in the soundscape of Jamaican music and the opportunities created for others within the creative industries.

“He showed us that Jamaican music could be both deeply rooted and globally dominant,” she added. “That legacy places a responsibility on us to protect, invest in, and grow the creative industries that icons like Sly helped to build.”

The shadow minister extended condolences to Dunbar’s wife, family, friends, and the wider music fraternity, noting that Jamaica has lost a pioneer whose influence will endure for generations.