3 weeks ago
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The news of reggae singer Determine’s passing on Thursday came as a shock to many, partly because hardly any one knew that he had been ailing. Born Rohan Bennett in March 1972, Determine was less than one month shy of celebrating his 53rd birthday.
He died at a hospital in Baltimore, USA, following a battle with cancer, his long-time partner and mother of his children, Paula Francis, told The Gleaner.
“I spoke to him this morning … he was overseas but we spoke every day,” a grieving Francis said.
The children, she shared, “are not taking it well”.
Entertainer Yellowman was one of the first to comment on Determine’s passing.
“What happen to Determine? Him dead? But I never even know that him was sick. We lost a true one … a great artiste. My condolences to the family during this tough time,” said Yellowman, who experienced a gruelling bout with cancer years ago.
Veteran studio enginer and record producer Bertie Grant was equally surprised. “Oh man! This hit me. Determine did some good work … Kette Drum was a landmark song … it’s an anthem now. At least his legacy lives on, not only through his own work, but through his children, especially his son Runkus who is making a great name for himself,” Grant told The Gleaner.
The Rastafarian chanter is known for Kette Drum, the 1995 Nyahbinghi single he did in collaboration with Beenie Man, for prolific producer Bobby Digital on the Digital B label. It was the song that transformed Determine’s career from on-the-rise to extraordinary and gave him an entrance into international markets. That same year, Determine won the prestigious Rockers Award for Best New Deejay. This year marks 30 years since that achievement.
His début album, Rock the World, was released on VP Records/ Digital B Records in 1996.
Producer Patrick Roberts, who managed Beenie Man when Kette Drum hit big, said he was saddened by the news.
“First of all, condolences to the family. This is such a sad moment. Determine was one of those artistes who really loved the music. He was off the radar for some time … and not hearing anything from him, and then to get this sad news that he is no longer on this Earth was shocking. I implore the mother of his children, who was always there for him, to be strong for the kids,” Roberts told The Gleaner.
Reggae chanter Anthony B took to social media to express his condolences.
“S.I.P Mi Lion Fambo - #determine STILL IN DISBELIEF #Rasta #sip #Zion #shakkazulu #jahrastafari #music,” Anthony B posted alongside a video of Determine dousing the stage with energy as he performed his big song, Shaka Zulu.
Born in Annotto Bay, St Mary, Determine started his career by performing on the sound system circuit. His earliest recordings include Zion Hill and Full Speed (with Terror Fabulous), followed by singles including Dem no Know Love, Burn Up and Selassie I.
The Zion Hill singer formed his own Zulu Productions Matches Box label, but continued recording for many of the top producers. His musical journey took him across Europe to countries such as Holland, Switzerland, France, Amsterdam, England, and also to the US East and West coasts.
English (US) ·