Outpouring Of Support For Producer Kurt “Party Animal” Riley Following Hospitalisation

There has been an outpouring of get-well wishes for internationally acclaimed music producer and radio disc jockey Kurt “Party Animal” Riley, after his daughters announced on Wednesday night that he had been hospitalized.

Riley, who served as Beenie Man’s selector during the VERZUZ clash with Bounty Killer and also co-curated the tunes for the iconic face-off, is the son of the late singer, songwriter, and record producer Winston Riley who formerly headed The Techniques band.

While it is unclear when the musicologist was hospitalized or the nature of his illness, his daughters noted in the statement which they posted on his Instagram page, that he was getting better.

“UPDATE: Daddy is recovering and doing much better.  We all appreciate your prayers and calls during this time.    We ask you to be mindful that Daddy is still in the Hospital and cannot take calls.  Please DM /WhatsApp him and he will respond as soon he is able to.  Thank you so much for all your continued support.   Love, The Riley Girls,” they wrote.

Among the well-wishers from the entertainment fraternity were dancehall superstar Sean Paul who wrote: “We a pray fi u mi G stay strong an stay up” and Spice who noted: “Prayers way up… Get well soon.”

Beenie Man, Tanya Stephens, Romain Virgo, Skatta Barrell, Stephen McGregor, and Alaine, also paid their respects.

Kurt Riley is the Chief Executive Officer of Jambian Music record label.  He has produced a slew of records for artistes, chief among them Trelawny native Charly Black biggest song, the 2013 single Gyal You A Party Animal which was certified diamond in Latin America, and certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

The Kingston College old boy, who was also one of the top disc jockeys at Fame 95Fm radio station in Kingston, resigned from his post at there in April 2017, after sixteen years there.  At the time Riley said he was unable to continue with the brand’s creative direction.

Among his other music productions are Romain Virgo’s Trouble from the Love Sick album, as well as Beres Hammond’s My Kinda Girl, which was featured on the reggae crooner’s Never Ending album.

Among the riddims produced by Riley are Via Riddim, Rum Runner Riddim, Animal Instinct Riddim, and Caribbean Rock Riddim, which featured artistes such as Busy Signal, Elephant Man, and Leftside.

Riley learned the music business from his father, who also had an exceptional career as a producer with his Techniques label producing tracks such as Super Cat’s mega hit Boops, the legendary Ring The Alarm by Tenor Saw, Sister Nancy’s version of Bam Bam, and Loneliness by Sanchez.  His Stalag riddim is the most sampled dancehall beat of all time.

The elder Riley had died in 2012 at age 65, following his hospitalization after being shot in the head at his home in St. Andrew.   The shooting had come months after Riley’s landmark store, Techniques record store on Orange Street, downtown Kingston, was destroyed by fire.