Anthony Henry

Lowell Fillmore Sly’ Dunbar, the Jamaican drummer whose work helped shape reggae, dub and dancehall, has died at the age of 73, his family and close associates confirmed Monday.

Dunbar passed away at his home in Kingston, Jamaica, where he lived with his family, according to reports. No official cause of death has yet been disclosed, but friends say he had been dealing with health issues for some time.

Born on May 10, 1952, Dunbar rose to international prominence as one half of Sly & Robbie, the prolific rhythm section and production duo he formed with bassist Robbie Shakespeare in the early 1970s. The pair became one of the most influential forces in Jamaican music, contributing to the global spread of reggae and dancehall and helping define the sound of the genres for generations.

Over his more than five-decade career, Dunbar’s distinctive drumming featured on thousands of recordings and shaped hits for reggae greats such as Dennis Brown, Black Uhuru and Peter Tosh. Sly & Robbie’s production and session work also extended far beyond reggae, with collaborations including Grace Jones, Bob Dylan, Madonna and The Rolling Stones.

In 1980, Dunbar and Shakespeare co-founded Taxi Records, a production house and label that became central to Jamaican music, launching and supporting artists across reggae and dancehall.

Dunbar’s contributions earned him widespread recognition in the music industry, including multiple Grammy nominations and wins for his work with Sly & Robbie.

His longtime collaborator Robbie Shakespeare died in 2021, making Dunbar’s passing all the more poignant for fans and colleagues who saw the pair as musical brothers.

Tributes have poured in from across the music world, with peers, producers and fans alike mourning the loss of a rhythmic innovator whose work helped bring Jamaican music to the global stage.

Dunbar is survived by his family and his enduring legacy in reggae and world music. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.