Reggae peers hold candlelight vigil for Fantan Mojah in Kingston

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s music community assembled at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre on Wednesday night for a candlelight vigil marking the life and work of reggae singer Fantan Mojah.

The programme had been billed for 7:00 pm, but the vigil did not open until a little after 9:00 pm. Among the well-known faces present was Queen Ifrica.

Speaking about their bond, Queen Ifrica delivered a moving remembrance and described one of the final talks they shared. “Fantan was my bredrin in real life…even the other day I was at City Splash in England, and I video called him, and he was telling me that he had in a pacemaker. I saw that he looked weak, and I was telling him, just go on taking care of his health,” she said.

“All of us are here tonight because Fantan is not here and if I know him, he would prefer to be here celebrating a birthday or something, so I just want to say walk good, mi link,” Queen Ifrica added.

Also at the vigil were Professor of Culture, Gender and Society Donna Hope, dancehall artiste Harry Toddler, entertainment mogul Josef “Joe” Bogdanovich, drummer Bongo Herman, and other figures from the entertainment world.

Fantan Mojah, born Owen Moncrieffe, passed away in hospital on July 14. The singer built a noted career on recordings such as Hail the King, Rasta Got Soul and Corruption. He died only weeks shy of his 50th birthday, prompting tributes from the Government and the entertainment industry.