‘I am still trying to process it’

Sophia Laing is still struggling to come to terms with the death of her husband, dancehall and gospel legend Cleve ‘Stitchie’ Laing, who died on Monday, one day before his 64th birthday.

“I am still trying to process it … Cleve is gone. I was just watching the news and saw it, and it hit me,” an emotional Sophia told THE STAR on Monday night, unable to hold back her tears.

“His name is ‘Cleve’ … not Cleveland, and he is 63. He turns 64 on Tuesday … his birthday … not 61,” she added, in response to reports carried by some news outlets.

Stitchie had been battling the effects of a debilitating stroke caused by a brain haemorrhage on August 11, 2024. He had been receiving care at a specialised long-term rehabilitative facility before being admitted to Kingston Public Hospital last Thursday, where he was being treated for a low blood count.

His death brought an end to a career that spanned dancehall and gospel music and established him as one of Jamaica’s most recognisable performers.

Before his transition to gospel, Stitchie was a dominant force in dancehall. In 1987, he made history as the first Jamaican dancehall artiste to be signed to a major US record label, Atlantic Records. In the latter part of his career, he embraced reggae-gospel, using his music to express his Christian faith.

The significance of that transition was reflected in a tribute from Sterling Gospel Music Awards founder and director Basillia Barnaby-Cuff, who described Stitchie as an artiste whose career connected two important chapters of Jamaican music.

“Lt Stitchie was a trailblazer whose remarkable career transcended genres and generations. He emerged from Jamaica’s dancehall movement as one of its distinctive voices before making a defining transition to gospel music. In doing so, he bridged two significant chapters of Jamaican music, while demonstrating the depth of his faith and his commitment to purpose,” said Barnaby-Cuff in a release sent on Tuesday.

The Sterling Gospel Music Awards honoured Stitchie in 2019 as one of eight recipients of the KFC Big Deal Legends Award. The award was created to recognise veteran gospel artistes whose contributions helped lay the foundation for the current generation of gospel music.

Stitchie’s contribution was recognised beyond the music industry. He was conferred with an honorary doctorate in 2012 and conferred with the Order of Distinction in the Rank of Officer in 2021 for his impact on reggae music.

Following news of his death, tributes came from Jamaica’s political leadership.

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness hailed Stitchie as “one of Jamaica’s greatest DJs of the dancehall genre”, highlighting also that the entertainer was “one of Jamaica’s best storytellers and humourists”.

“I recall fondly attending a concert at my high school at which he performed. In the latter part of his career, he would also make his mark in gospel music. My sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.”

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange expressed her deep regret at the passing of Stitchie, noting that his “secular and gospel music caught the imagination of fans at home and abroad”.

“Lieutenant Stitchie was a respected Jamaican recording artiste, songwriter, and performer whose music and ministry touched the lives of many people both in Jamaica and internationally,” she stated.

Opposition Leader Mark Golding, in a tribute posted on social media, described Stitchie as “a beloved son of Jamaica whose talent and music touched lives at home and across the world”.

“His contribution to Jamaican music and culture will forever be remembered, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations.”

Sophia thanked those who have been sending condolences and said that more information would follow.

entertainment@gleanerjm.com