- Arif Cooper, the popular Disc Jockey, sound system operator and music producer, died in Kingston, Jamaica on March 5. He collapsed while playing at an event, it has been reported.
- No cause of death has been given, despite speculation he may have suffered a heart attack.
- Cooper was the son of keyboardist Ibo Cooper, co-founder of the Third World band. He was one of Jamaica’s leading sound system personalities and also produced songs by a number of top artists such as Sean Paul, Vybz Kartel, Busy Signal, T.O.K. and Mr. Vegas.
- He co-wrote 'Hold my Hand', one of the hit singles from Sean Paul's 2009 album, 'Imperial Blaze'.
- Jamaica’s entertainment minister, Olivia "Babsy" Grange, led tributes to Cooper who was believed to be in his late 40s.
- "It is so sad that another of our outstanding personalities in the music industry has left us suddenly and at such a relatively young age. We saw Arif following his famous father, Michael ‘Ibo’ Cooper, a founder of Third World Band, into music and making his own name here in Jamaica and on the international scene where he entertained audiences in a number of United States cities and in Japan," read a statement from Grange.
Sean Paul also expressed condolences to Cooper's family and friends.
“Jah know, still cyaah believe I woke up to this news. So much great musical memories shared with this legendary producer and DJ. Condolences to his family and friends. R.I.P to my Bro,” he wrote on Twitter.
Written By Howard Campbell