By Simone Morgan-Lindo – STAR Writer—
Jahiant Jahh—
Jamaica-born reggae/dancehall artiste Jahiant Jahh was killed in Ottawa, Canada, last Friday.
According to his manager, Naomi Fudemoto, the entertainer, whose given name is Markland Campbell, was rushing to defend his 18-year-old daughter’s dignity after she called to say she was being assaulted by two men.
She stated that he was unarmed and was subsequently shot in the chest. He passed away while undergoing surgery.
The Ottawa police have since arrested and charged a man, 18-year-old Donald Musselman, with second-degree murder.
Campbell’s legacy is immortalised in the song Girl You Know with HSG (HalfSizeGiants), featuring platinum-selling artiste Danny Fernandes.
At the age of 16, Campbell, along with HSG, led an anti-violence concert to protest the senseless death of Nicholas Battersby, Ottawa’s first drive-by shooting victim in March 1994.
He was killed 25 years later and less than a mile away from that tragedy, maliciously gunned down while reportedly defending the principle of righteousness he lived by.
NEW ALBUM
According to the website HipHopCanada, Campbell was killed just days after the release of his group’s new album, Life Moves Fast.
The website said that HSG, once known as BMW (Black, Mexican and White), first made their mark back in 1996 with their debut, Maple Flava O n Cruise Control, featuring the Maestro Fresh Wes-produced single Tell Me Kids .
The group, which also includes Ironic (Chris Weins) and Memo Moreno (William Moreno), originally came together during high school in the 90s.
Fudemoto said: “His lifelong brethren Memo and Ironic vow to ensure Jahiant will be remembered for how he lived and not how he died.”
A candlelight vigil for Campbell is planned for 6 p.m. on Sunday at the corner of York Street and ByWard Market Square, where he collapsed.
The entertainer grew up in Portmore, St Catherine. He made his first appearance on stage at age 13 on a talent show in Gregory Park.
He migrated to Canada shortly after and embarked on a music career. In 2012, Jahiant released his debut album, Life Is The Limit, produced by Jah Bless Independent Records.
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