The World Loses a Rhythm Architect: Remembering Lowell “Sly” Dunbar (1942–2026)

The Caribbean and global music communities are in mourning today following the passing of Lowell “Sly” Dunbar, the legendary Jamaican drummer and producer, who died on Monday, January 26, 2026, at the age of 73.

Dunbar was found unresponsive at his home in Kingston by his wife, Thelma. While a close collaborator confirmed that he had been battling cancer, official reports indicate that the iconic musician had been facing health complications for several months.

For Jamaica, this is not just the loss of a musician—it is the loss of a sonic architect whose rhythms shaped generations, genres, and global soundscapes.

One Half of the Riddim Twins

As one half of the legendary duo Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare, famously known as the Riddim Twins, Dunbar helped redefine reggae music from the inside out. Together, they created a rhythmic blueprint that became the backbone of reggae, dub, and dancehall—music that would later influence hip-hop, pop, and electronic genres worldwide.

Their partnership, which began in the 1970s, became one of the most influential collaborations in music history, enduring until Shakespeare’s death in 2021.

A Career Measured in Millions of Beats

Sly Dunbar’s career is almost impossible to quantify. He is estimated to have played on over 200,000 recordings, making him one of the most recorded musicians in human history. His drumming wasn’t just technically precise—it was emotionally intuitive, instantly recognizable, and endlessly adaptable.

He is widely credited with pioneering the “rockers” rhythm, a driving, militant groove that modernized reggae and opened the door for dancehall’s evolution. His ability to fuse live drums with emerging digital techniques also positioned Jamaican music at the forefront of global innovation.

Crossing Borders, Breaking Barriers

While deeply rooted in Jamaican culture, Dunbar’s influence transcended geography. His unmistakable rhythm powered recordings for global icons including Bob Dylan, Grace Jones, The Rolling Stones, Madonna, and No Doubt.

In an era when Caribbean musicians were often confined to regional markets, Sly Dunbar moved effortlessly between Kingston studios and international stages, proving that reggae rhythms belonged everywhere.

Awards, Recognition, and Industry Leadership

Dunbar’s excellence earned him 13 Grammy nominations and two Grammy Awards:

• Anthem (1985) with Black Uhuru

• Friends (1999) with Sly & Robbie

Beyond performance, he was also a visionary entrepreneur. In 1980, he co-founded Taxi Records, a label that became a launchpad for countless Jamaican artists and a hub for sonic experimentation that pushed reggae into the digital age.

Essential Sly Dunbar Tracks & Collaborations

To understand Sly Dunbar’s musical legacy, these recordings are essential listening:

• Black Uhuru – AnthemA militant, futuristic reggae masterpiece anchored by Dunbar’s precision drumming.

• Sly & Robbie – BaltimoreA genre-blending reinterpretation that showcased their ability to bridge reggae and soul.

• Grace Jones – Pull Up to the BumperA global hit where Dunbar’s rhythm helped define 1980s pop-funk cool.

• Peter Tosh – Legalize ItA roots reggae anthem driven by restrained yet powerful drum patterns.

• Bob Dylan – JokermanA rare fusion of reggae rhythm and folk lyricism on an international stage.

An Eternal Rhythm

Tributes have poured in throughout the day, with international publications hailing Dunbar as a “true icon” and an “architect of modern music.” But perhaps his greatest tribute lies in the fact that his rhythms will never stop playing.

Every reggae groove, every dancehall riddim, every global pop song built on Caribbean percussion carries echoes of Sly Dunbar’s hands on the drums.

Today, Jamaica mourns.

The world listens back.

And the rhythm lives on. 🖤