Olivia Grange, the minister of culture, gender, entertainment and sport, has joined the chorus of voices expressing sadness over the sudden death of popular disc jockey, radio broadcaster and music producer, Arif Cooper.

Cooper died while playing at a party at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre in St Andrew
early this morning (March 5).

“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,” Grange.

“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.

“Arif’s versatility was one of the huge features of the man and was greatly admired by his colleagues in the music industry, especially those whose careers benefitted from his talent, and by his fans.

“He will be sorely missed.

“I express my deepest condolences to his family, his relatives, the RJR Communications Group with which he worked for many years, his friends and associates, to the music fraternity and to his fans and admirers everywhere.

“You have played a fine tune; rest in peace Arif Cooper.”