We will soon learn Lee’ Scratch’ Perry’s cause of death, per his widow Mireille.
It’s been less than a month that the world lost producing legend Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry. A short while after his death, his widow, Mireille Perry, took to social media to insinuate that she suspected foul play and that she would look deeper into the matter. Now she’s confirmed that all matters concerning his death are in the hands of his lawyers.
She confirmed the news to the Jamaica Star and revealed a little insight into what is going to happen and why she needed clarification on those matters. Firstly, she said that Lee “Scratch” Perry passed away on Saturday, August 28, and not Sunday, August 29, which has been widely reported. She also said that he died while on his way to the Noel Holmes Hospital in Lucea, Hanover, and not after he was admitted.
Mireille added that she could not talk about the cause of his death at this time. She maintains, however, that the 85-year-old entertainer was not sick before his death. She remains tight-lipped about that information on the advice of her lawyers.
Mireille and Lee Scratch Perry | photo: Mirielle
“Please also understand, everything in Jamaica takes longer and I will come with more information as soon as it becomes possible,” she added.
Mireille has definitely been affected by the passing of the eclectic and legendary producer. Just about a week after his passing, she said, “You were more than a husband, you were my best friend. We share a bond that lives beyond death. I will cherish you forever. I will try my best to keep your spirit alive.”
Just after his passing, she took to Instagram to share her feelings about Perry’s sudden death.
“This catastrophic loss is totally unexpected and unbelievable! Lee Scratch Perry was not sick! I promise to get justice for the mishandling that took place! I promise I will not stop until we get justice from the people responsible for his death !!!” she said at that time. It seems she intends to get answers and expose anyone who may have been negligent in his death.
After a two-year hiatus, the Legends In Concert has returned to Atlanta. The organizers of the event have already announced that the proceeds from the show will go to ConnectJA, which assists schools in Jamaica.
The concert, which was held yearly before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, will feature some of Jamaica’s veteran acts like Tanya Stephens and Louie Culture. Other musical veterans who will feature include Dr. Carlene Davis, and Ghost among others. The show is carded for September 12.
The ConnectJA organization recently donated a 40-computer media center and has provided over 20,000 books to the school and feeder schools in Guys Hill, where they are based. The community development group is directed by Cornel Levy. Levy has sought to help to bring some relief to the area by trying to reduce poverty.
Levy, who now lives in the US, also attended the Guys Hill High School between 1975 to 1980 and is committed to creating job opportunities, reducing poverty, and boosting local economies through community development.
He hopes that in doing so his organization can help reduce criminal activities in communities. That’s why he stays committed to assisting children.
“Children are the future, so aiding in their growth and development is essential in ensuring that the community of Guys Hill stays safe,” said Levy, while speaking with the Jamaica Star. He also issued a plea for Jamaicans around the world who are doing well to find a way to give back to impoverished communities.
He added that his organization already had over 200 desktops and laptops which are ready to be shipped. He also confirmed that the proceeds from the concert will go towards shipping and handling.
Levy also shared that the computers would not only be donated to Guys Hill High School but to feeder schools and other schools as well.
Sean Kingston’s rebirth is coming as fans looks forward to his forthcoming album, Deliverance.
Sean Kingston has officially announced his re-entry into the music biz after dropping “Darkest Times,” a collaboration with Chicago rapper G Herbo. The track comes some eight years since he dropped his last album, Back 2 Life, and is reminiscent of the style that he’s become well-known for. His voice hasn’t changed that much over the years, and his strong Jamaican roots still ring through. This track is expected to be the lead one for his upcoming album Deliverance.
He’s hinted so far that fans can expect artists hailing from the US and his beloved Jamaica. In an interview with the Jamaica Star, he wanted it to be made known that the album is not a comeback per se but more of a celebration of the music that he still has to share with the world.
“So, we’re not calling this a comeback, but a rebirth; and the new music will chronicle my growth and open a whole different chapter. It’s going to be something the listeners least expect. There’s even going to be something on there for my Jamaican supporters,” he said.
The artist, who is proud of his Miami-Jamaican connection, has come quite a long way from where he started being one of the first artists trying to figure out how to make their brand stand out on the internet. He credits his start to MySpace, one of the very first social media sites to gain major popularity. He was able to maneuver into a serious career from the platform to the major airwaves. His knack for churning out hits didn’t hurt either. He’s behind some of the biggest summer songs like “Beautiful Girls,” and “Eenie Meenie” with Justin Bieber. Kingston sat down for an interview with HotNewHipHop, where he revealed more about the upcoming album and the inspiration behind it.
The biggest question that he probably had to address is why he chose this year when so many other artists have fallen off because of Covid-19 to drop new music. The lyric video has already gotten over 100,000 views last weekend and is poised to bring in more views.
“I just feel like the time is now. I’ve been writing a lot of music behind the scenes. I’ve been writing a lot of hits for a lot of artists…Chris Brown, Lil Mosey. I’ve been writing hits for a lot of people, but I just felt like, now is the time for me to come back, for me to tell my story again, for me to get—I just feel like the world is in such a…with COVID and everything that’s going on, they need feel-good music,” he explained.
The major reasoning behind the album is to reform the bond that he had with his fans and followers because he wants to share with them all the experience that he’s gained over the last eight years. He wants to share the lessons with others so that they can share the journey that he’s been on. That’s not to take away from his younger, more artistic approach, he continued. He added that his approach to music hasn’t changed that much, he’s just matured.
“It was still genuine because I have always been that type of person—but it was kind of, me rushing into things, but now, it’s very much more laid back, much more mature. My sound has matured, the way my melodies are now, everything is on a wider level,” he continued.
Anyone who’s kept up the award-winning artist knows that he’s had his fair share of controversies, including some money woes. These are some of the feelings and moments that he’s had to work through, and fans can expect to hear how he got through them on this album. That was some of the meaning behind “Darkest Times.”
“It’s basically just me explaining when I’m going through something—whenever somebody go through what they go through, trials and tribulations—[just] having somebody there as your rock and your stone. Being there for you through the darkest times,” he explained.
The veteran artist has worked with some big names in the music biz like Trippie Redd, Bow Wow, Brandy, Flo Rida, Sean Paul, and Nicki Minaj, to name a few, but his focus remains on being humble and connecting with his fans. He also shared some words of inspiration from Jay-Z that he’s held on to.
“I met Jay-Z in Dubai and me and Jay-Z was chopping it up and he told me, ‘No matter what you do, just keep going. Keep God first. Just stay at it, whether it’s music or business ideas or real estate or whatever. Just keep capitalizing and becoming a better person—and I feel like that’s always stuck with me,” he shared.
While he didn’t reveal much about who will be on the album, it’s fair to expect a lot of collaborations with his love of Jamaican culture and music strongly influencing the finished product.
Mireille and Lee Scratch Perry | photo: Mirielle