Peetah Morgan, the esteemed lead vocalist of the Grammy Award-winning reggae ensemble Morgan Heritage, has sadly passed away at the age of 46. The band, renowned for hits like “Don’t Haffi Dread (To Be Rasta),” “Down by the River,” “Tell Me How Come,” and “She’s Still Loving Me,” confirmed Peetah’s demise on Sunday, February 25. Although the cause of death was not disclosed, the Morgan family expressed their heartfelt sentiments in a statement shared on Instagram, emphasizing the importance of love as they bid farewell to their beloved husband, father, son, and brother.
Morgan Heritage’s most recent endeavor, “The Homeland,” debuted in April 2023, showcasing a fusion of African and Jamaican sounds under the genre of “World Music.” Their journey began in 1994 with the release of their debut album, “Miracles,” shortly after their inaugural appearance at the prestigious Reggae Sunsplash music festival. In 2015, their album “Strictly Roots” soared to the top of the Billboard Reggae Albums chart for 44 weeks, clinching the coveted Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in 2016, surpassing formidable contenders like Jah Cure, Luciano, and Barrington Levy.
The band continued to receive acclaim, earning another Best Reggae Album nomination in 2017 for their work “Avrakedabra.” Meanwhile, Peetah Morgan pursued a successful solo career, delivering notable tracks such as “Better World” (2023), “My Makeda” (2012), “Heart Like Lion” with Jah Sun (2012), “Unfair” with Busy Signal (2010), and “Bye Bye” (2009).
As the family navigates through this difficult time, they express gratitude for the outpouring of love and support, requesting continued prayers and respecting their privacy during the healing process. In 2022, the Morgan family mourned the loss of Denroy Morgan, a revered figure in the reggae scene and patriarch of the family, who left behind a legacy and 30 children. From Denroy’s lineage emerged various musical groups, including Morgan Heritage, initially comprising Peetah Morgan, Una Morgan, Roy “Gramps” Morgan, Nakhamyah “Lukes” Morgan, and Memmalatel “Mr. Mojo” Morgan, with Una Morgan and Lukes Morgan transitioning from the group in subsequent years.
