Buju Banton Shares Moving Salute To Peetah Morgan As Tributes Pour In For Late Reggae Singer
Buju Banton paid a moving tribute to Peter “Peetah” Morgan, the lead vocalist of the Grammy-awarded Reggae ensemble Morgan Heritage, who passed away this morning (February 25) in the United States at age 46.
Speaking to DancehallMag, publicist/producer Sean ‘Contractor’ Edwards suggested that Morgan’s passing was due to illness following a stroke. However, the Morgan family has not revealed an official cause of death.
In an Instagram post on Sunday, Banton recounted meeting the band for the first time in New York and expressed deep sorrow over Morgan’s unexpected death, especially as they were working on a new project together.
“Over twenty five years ago, I was invited to listen to a new group on the horizon. I was in NYC. I went to a place called Bushwick, Brooklyn, to listen to this set of new musicians/artists. I was completely in love with the sound, the work ethic and the good vibe I felt. That day I immediately added them to my European Tour dates and would go on to bring that sound to the world with the help of Penthouse’s Donovan Germain,” the Hills and Valleys singer wrote.
“We have always kept it honest with all we have done for our people and people of the world by extension. I spent the last two weeks of your life with you working on a very special project only to wake up today learning that you took a shortcut Peter. I am so saddened by this sudden turn of events. You a totally a reggae music superstar who gave from where our father said we should, our hearts,” he added.
“All those memories, all that laughter, all those tours. I am going to miss you Peter and I will comfort myself with this thought. You cannot come to us but we must come to where you are. Until then Peter, I love you. The brother I never had,” Buju ended.
Banton previously collaborated with Morgan Heritage on the song 23rd Psalm, which appeared on his Buju & Friends album in 2004.
Tributes and condolences have poured in from several other Dancehall and Reggae artists, Political leaders, including Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Opposition Leader Mark Golding, and other well-wishers in memory of Peetah Morgan.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness expressed his sadness, describing the loss as enormous for Jamaica and Reggae.
“My heart is heavy to learn of the passing of Peetah Morgan of the world renowned Morgan Heritage. I send deep condolences to the Morgan family as they grieve this tremendous loss which is also a colossal loss for Jamaica and for Reggae music,” he wrote.
Opposition leader and president of The People’s National Party, Mark Golding, also offered public sympathies.
“Today, we mourn the loss of Peter Anthony Morgan known as Peetah, the lead singer of Morgan Heritage. Peter along with his siblings Uma Morgan, Roy ‘Gramps’ Morgan, Nakhamyah ‘Lukes’ Morgan and Memmalatel ‘Mr. Mojo’ Morgan formed a powerhouse musical that resonated globally. Our heartfelt sympathies extend to Peetah’s family, friends, fans and the entire musical fraternity. His legacy and contributions to Reggae music will forever echo in our hearts”.
Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports Olivia “Babsy” Grange said she was “shocked and deeply saddened” by Peetah’s passing. “It was not so long ago in 2022 that I was assisting with funeral arrangements for his father Denroy Morgan and now to lose Peetah who was only 47, it’s really heartbreaking,” she wrote on Instagrm.
“My sincerest condolences to his wife Marie, the other members of Morgan Heritage Group and other siblings, the rest of the family, relatives, friends and to the music fraternity here in Jamaica and abroad,” she continued. “I shall surely miss Petah’s calm, unassuming and respectful manner. Rest well my son.”
Member of Parliament Lisa Hanna also paid tribute.
“I have no words – none at all to capture how I’m feeling now. Devastated comes close but doesn’t capture the loss.@peetahmusic you were my brother – the days of “yow Lise yuh cyah cook some corn frittaz or some steam fish?”My answer was always – “when you and gramps coming?” Jah Jah – dis lick hot!I will never forget when you sent the song “Lisa Bring Back Love” during the campaign and said “gwan guh duh di ting sis” we have your back.Peetah I will miss you …. @grampsmorgan I’m holding you and the family in prayer and loving thoughts,” she said.
Reggae songbird Alaine, in her tribute, recounted how she missed an opportunity to share a photograph with Peetah, thinking another opportunity would have presented itself.
“I saw you in Turks and Caicos in December and as usual you greeted me with the biggest smile and the warmest hug. I wanted to take a picture but then said to myself no man I soon see him again…I don’t even have the words. My dear brother and friend, sleep in peace,” she wrote.
“Really saddened to hear the news today family Peetah move on from this sphere. Sending all our love and condolences to Morgan Heritage and family. Our community will miss him bad bad bad,” Ziggy Marley posted.
Kabaka Pyramid said he was at a loss for words, but offered his “I-dolences.”
“Physical life is temporary. Thankfully the soul is eternal. Cheerish life each and every day. My deepest I-dolences to the Morgan Heritage family. Such a great human being and impeccable singer. An inspiration to us all. Give thanks for a great life that seems so short lived,” he said.
I Octane posted, “This one is a sad one but God knows best…Jah Jah. I just want to take the time out to say condolences to the family. Rest in Zion king,”.
Dancehall artiste Mr. Lexx recounted a memory when he and Morgan Heritage had a time discrepancy on a local stage show, and Peetah told him to go ahead, which exemplified his commendable character.
“One of the stand out memories was that inna the time when me was pretty much the hottest artiste around, I don’t remember which show we did a do but I think it was a confusion between fi dem time to perform and my time and I don’t know what happened but both camps scuffled over it and dem say you know what let the artiste gwaan go work before we,” he shared.
More tributes below:
Formed in 1994, Morgan Heritage began initially with eight children of the late reggae artist Denroy Morgan. The group then settled on five members: Peter “Peetah” Morgan, Una Morgan, Roy “Gramps” Morgan, Nakhamyah “Lukes” Morgan, and Memmalatel “Mr. Mojo” Morgan.
It recently morphed into a trio comprising the three brothers, Peetah, Gramps, and Mr. Mojo.
Their best-known songs include Don’t Haffi Dread (To Be Rasta), Down by the River, Tell Me How Come, and She’s Still Loving Me.
The group won the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album with their album, Strictly Roots. They were later nominated in the category fo their album, Avrakedabra.