JAMAICA | Veteran Reggae Singer Ras Denroy Morgan is dead at the age of 76.

NEW YORK,  NY, March 4, 2022 - : Jamaican reggae icon Bishop Denroy Morgan, 76, has died. The hitmaker who topped the international charts in 1981 with his smash single "I'll Do Anything for You" died peacefully yesterday in Atlanta after a brief illness, surrounded by close family members.

Morgan was the father of 30 children with over 120 grand children, and his musical and spiritual shepherding of his family members led to the creation of the Grammy winning group Morgan Heritage. Three generations of Morgans have produced hit records over the years.

 They include: Peter “Peetah” Morgan, Una Morgan, Roy “Gramps” Morgan, Nakhamyah “Lukes” Morgan, and Memmalatel “Mr. Mojo” Morgan, form the reggae band Morgan Heritage; Noshayah Morgan, Otiyah “Laza” Morgan, and Miriam Morgan who comprise the musical trio LMS.

Otiyah Morgan known as Laza Morgan and Roy Morgan known as Gramps Morgan are both solo acts also. Jemere Morgan, Roy “Gramps” Morgan’s son, has also started a solo music career.

A statement from the family a short while ago read:

Denroy Morgan was a bishop at the Abrahamic Covenant Family Ministry Church. He was passionate about the legalization of marijuana, and his landmark successful sacramental defense of a marijuana charge in New York City in 2011 was an important turning point that led to the relaxation of marijuana legislation in New York City.

Morgan had also been pushing to establish November 2, the coronation day of of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie as a United Nations International Day. Morgan was scheduled to release a new album, Divine Destiny on March 22.

Meanwhile Prime Minister Andrew Holness in paying tribute to Morgan in light of his passing,  In a media release today said: "I extend my deepest condolences to the Morgan Heritage family following the passing of their beloved patriarch, Bishop Ras Denroy Morgan."

Ras Denroy, as he was popularly known, began his career in the 1970s, forming the Black Eagles, a reggae band with Devon “Igo Levi” Foster and Llewellyn “Jah T” Breadwood in New York City in 1974.

Morgan’s most successful single was “I’ll Do Anything For You,” which reached number nine on the American soul chart and had musical accompaniment from the Black Eagles.

The success led to the launch of his solo career in which he became the first reggae artist to be signed to a major recording studio, RCA Records in 1984.

Also of note, Holness said, was the mastery he displayed in relation to the aptitude of his children for music which birthed the Grammy-award winning roots and culture band, Morgan Heritage. He has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the world through his musical talent and genius.

"Bishop Ras Denroy Morgan was a devout spiritualist who leaves behind 30 children, 104 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and spouse. I, therefore, pay tribute to a veteran connoisseur of music. May his soul rest in peace and light perpetual shine on him," PM Holness said.