Hugh Mundell
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Hugh Mundell | |
---|---|
Also known as | The Blessed Youth, Jah Levi |
Born | 14 June 1962 East Kingston, Jamaica |
Died | 1983 Kingston, Jamaica |
Genre(s) | Reggae |
Occupation(s) | Singer |
Instrument(s) | Vocals |
Years active | 1975-1983 |
Hugh Mundell (b. 1962; d. 1983) was a Jamaican reggae performer.
Hugh was introduced to reggae by his family's neighbor, reggae performer and producer Boris Gardner. With Gardner's assistance Hugh recorded his first single "Where Is Natty Dread?" with producer Joe Gibbs at the age of 13.[1]
A teenage prodigy, he recorded "Africa Must Be Free By 1983" at the age of 16. The album received five stars from Rolling Stone magazine.[2] Although produced by Augustus Pablo, Mundell wrote all the tunes, thereby earning himself the nickname of "The Blessed Youth".
Mundell recorded several 12" singles under the alias Jah Levi.[3]
What seemed likely to be a brilliant career was cut short when Mundell was shot to death while driving with Junior Reid in Kingston, Jamaica in 1983.[3] Accounts of the incident are muddled, with some accounts reporting that it was over an argument about a fridge, others that it was in revenge for a burglary, others still that it was over a woman.
At the time of his death Hugh Mundell had produced 5 LPs and numerous singles.[4]