Just a few hours ago, reggae pioneer Desmond Dekker died of a heart attack in his English home. Though not acknowledged as much around the states, Dekker will forever be remembered by those in the know as the man who birthed reggae’s first worldwide hit. You heard it here, kiddies: It was Dekker, not Marley, who put reggae on the map.
When asked to explain the lyrical complexity of this hit, Israelites, Dekker once replied, "I was really saying, don't give up, things will get better if you just hold out long enough."
Here’s hoping that, wherever he is, Des is enjoying whatever lies beyond. We miss you, brudda.
