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Garnett Silk Will Always Be Remembered

Garnett Silk Will Always Be Remembered

Garnett Silk Will Always Be Remembered

By on - Photos by Lee Abel - 5 comments

Yesterday the late Garnett Silk would have turned 45 years old.

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Garnett Silk

Yesterday the late Garnett Silk would have turned 45 years old. Instead he died a tragic death only 28 years of age when trying to rescue his mother from a burning house that had been set on fire because of accidental gun fire on a propane gas tank. Garnett Silk was survived by a wife, three children and two brothers.

At the time he had been laying down tracks for his second album with producer Errol Brown and ten tunes were completed and released several years later.

Garnett Silk was a prominent person in the early 90’s rasta renaissance, a time when a new breed of cultural singers entered the stage. Tony Rebel and Everton Blender were part of this movement.

He started his career deejaying as Little Bimbo with tunes such as See Bimbo Yah, but later adopted a style that was highly conscious showcasing his gospel influenced tenor voice. He marked a turning point in reggae and paved the way for singers such as Luciano, Jahmali, Bushman, Sizzla, Anthony B and rasta converts like Buju Banton and Capleton.

Bobby “Digital” Dixon was the mastermind behind his only full-length album – the astonishing 'It’s Growing' released in 1992. The album was an instant bestseller in Jamaica and Garnett Silk managed to secure an international record deal with Atlantic.

Even though he had a short career he recorded with some of Jamaica’s top talents, including King Jammy, Steely & Clevie, Richard “Bello” Bell and Sly & Robbie, dropping hit tunes like Fill Us Up With Your Mercy, Hello Mama Africa and Zion in a Vision.

Garnett Silk albums

After his untimely death there has been several compilations dedicated to his work. The most complete is 'Music is the Rod'. Those who want to dig deeper can check out the two dubplate compilations 'Killamanjaro Remembers Garnett Silk' and 'Garnett Silk Meets the Conquering Lion'.

Garnett Silk has been compared to Bob Marley and hailed as his successor, even though Bob Marley died more than ten years before Garnett Silk dropped his debut album.

It is of course hard to predict whether Garnett Silk would have had a big international breakthrough to the general public, or remained a favourite to the reggae audience.

One thing is however crystal clear – Garnett Silk was a powerful force and is one of the most talented reggae artists of all time. He was a bright shining light and his presence will forever be remembered both through his own great work and through some of his followers – Ras Shiloh, Ras Sherby and Terry Linen. These three artists are great singers, but there is only one Garnett Silk.

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Read comments (5)


Posted by Strongtree on 04.05.2011
Big ups United Reggae for this tribute to Garnett Silk, standout tracks for me are, Love is the answer, Slave, Death go away, Mystic chant {Natural mystic riddim} and Silk chant {Kette drum riddim}, Splashing dashing and Lord watch over our shoulders. Garnett Silk is a shining light that lit up even the darkest of places the sound of his voice and songs touched our souls.

Posted by Joeh Hero on 05.06.2011
I remember those days and will forever keep him in my memory rest in peace great legend.

Posted by Ras brown on 08.18.2011
Garnett your positive music will forever prevail amongst our soals.your talent n voice were very unique n of great value.death go away, u took a very talented n young artist who had a very bright n promising future. Live long dread.since u left in 1994 your music prevails in our we soals.live long rasta.

Posted by Blackwatcher Mabhurakwacha on 01.04.2013
He was a force to reckon. May your soul continue to rest in eternal peace

Posted by Ziggy mebratu on 12.14.2015
Garnett silk is a hero just like Bob.

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