Reggae Producer Calibud Passed Away At 47

Well known audio engineer and music producer Sheldon ‘Calibud’ Stewart passed away earlier this week after battling cancer for only a few months after a surprising diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. He was 47.

He died in New York on July 1 where he was being treated.

“Everything happened so fast. We are still absorbing it,” a source close to the family said.

Calibud was the stepson of the late music producer, Robert ‘Bobby Digital’ Dixon. He contributed as an engineer to many of Dixon’s acclaimed projects—including Sizzla’s seminal 1997 album Black Woman and Child.

He was born in Hanover, but raised in Kingston, attending the Corporate Area Calabar High School. He lived in Waterhouse and later Hughenden, where Bobby Digital operated his Digital B label.

As a producer in his own right, Calibud made a name for himself as head of his own Cali Bud label, championing one-drop reggae and culturally conscious music. His notable works include Never Go Where Pagans Go by Warrior King, I Burn by Bushman, and QQ’s Betta Mus Come, all of which left a lasting imprint on the genre.

Calibud produced Warrior King’s first two albums. Warrior King said Calibud was like a “brother” and suggested that the industry should “celebrate the artistry, spirit, and vision of a man whose work was a gift to music and to culture”.

“We have created soo many classics which have inspired soo many people around the world and now he has transitioned to another realm, but his works will live on for eternity, “Warrior King told DancehallMag.

The singer said that he was saddened by the producer’s passing.

“He was like a big brother to me and even though we had our differences at times as brothers do I have nothing but love for him. They say Warriors don’t cry, but that’s a lie because I’m so saddened by his passing this one hit really hard. I’m grateful for all the things he has done for me,” he added.

“I will never go where the pagans go and I will continue to hold the faith even though it’s a rough road for Jah has given I the powers to chant, may your soul rest in eternal peace, my beloved brother for none of us can stop the time,” Warrior King concluded.

Stewart also produced Buju Banton’s Mr Nine and Sweetest Time by Norris Man.

Stewart is survived by his mother, father, two children, brothers and sisters.