DELLY Ranx said he is still in disbelief at the sudden passing of dancehall deejay Merciless, who he met in 1993.

"I knew Merciless when he was Sugar Demus, having met him at Arrows Records along Windward Road. All of us agreed that he was a bad artiste. One of Merciless's dubplates that grabbed my attention was Lend Out Mi Mercy. We heard the lyrics repeated, so we all agreed that he should be called Merciless and that survived throughout his 30 years as an entertainer," said Delly Ranx. "All of us wanted the big buss, so we were all eager."

Merciless's lifeless body was discovered at a motel on Walker's Avenue, off Beechwood Avenue, Kingston, on Tuesday. The 51-year-old, who had checked into the facility alone days before, had complained of not feeling well.

Police reports are that they were called to the motel where the artiste's body was found. No foul play is suspected and it is being treated as a sudden death investigation.

"When I heard the news, I was in my studio in Atlanta doing some dub plates. I was talking to Red Boom, a music engineer from Jamaica, who relayed the news to me. I found my body numb and it took some two hours before I got back to myself," said Delly Ranx.

Delly Ranks recalls sharing the same stage with Merciless.

"We were going on Merciless's birthday tour, travelling from Fort Lauderdale to Orlando. He, along with dancehall artiste Future Trouble, gave us jokes throughout that journey. Merciless had so many anecdotes, one could laugh for weeks. And each one was diffferent," said Delly Ranx.

"Merciless will also be remembered for being a rhymer, and a line I would never forget is, 'the Warring Don from Clarendon'."

Delly Ranx said a fitting tribute to Merciless would be for entertainers to use his name in a positive light.

As for his community, CHASE funds, in collaboration with community members in Chapelton, intended to build a mini museum where students can learn about Merciless and the history of reggae music.

Delly Ranx, born Delroy Foster, is currently promoting his latest project Crime Stop rhythm. The 11-track set includes Delly Ranx (Crime Stop and Talk Truth), Mr Vegas (Wanna Get High), Spragga Benz (Everything), and Wayne Wonder (Can't Get Enough).