Robbie Shakespeare; Jamaican bass guitarist, record producer, and one half of legendary rhythm and bass production duo Sly & Robbie, passed away yesterday (December 8th) in Florida aged 88 following complications after receiving kidney surgery. Shakespeare, sometimes known by his fitting nickname ‘Basspeare’, continues to receive the credit and recognition he deserves from fans and peers alike through a multitude of tributes online.
RIP Robbie Shakespeare. This man’s work as part of the legendary production duo Sly & Robbie and for many others will never ever be forgotten. Gutted. Fly high Basspeare! pic.twitter.com/hRSdSUq09i
— Ghostpoet (@ghostpoet) December 8, 2021
The prolific bassist, often credited with his partner Sly Dunbar to have revolutionised the sound of Reggae and Dancehall music with their immediately recognisable imprint, worked with every major artist during reggae’s golden era such as Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Gregory Isaacs over the years. Sly & Robbie also worked outside their field with a long list of high-profile pop and rock stars including Mick Jagger, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, Talking Heads, Madonna, and Britney Spears.
This career has led to many great achievements, like landing at number 17 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 50 greatest bassists of all time last year, and winning 2 of his 13 Grammy nominations over the years (once in 1984 for best reggae recording with “Anthem”, and then in 1998 for best reggae album with Friends). But his diversity is highlighted in some of his more collaborative efforts. The beautiful gloom and doom of Grace Jones’ 1981 LP Nightclubbing jumps out as a stellar piece of production. Or his work with Pete Tosh and their landmark 1976 effort Legalize It. Shakespeare’s signature melodic, atmospheric tones can be spotted all over these essential listens.
Olivia Grange, Jamaica’s Culture Minister, made a statement on her Twitter highlighting the influence of one of Jamaica’s “Greatest Musicians”, she says, “[Sly and Robbie] took bass playing and drumming to the highest level as they made music for themselves as a group, and for many other artists locally and internationally,”. Andrew Holness, Jamaica’s Prime Minister adds, “when it comes to reggae bass playing, no one comes close to having the influence of Robbie Shakespeare”.
(1/3) My condolences to the family, friends and fans of Jamaican Reggae musician and record producer, Robbie Shakespeare of the Sly and Robbie fame. pic.twitter.com/Q1C1FZBQ4G — Andrew Holness (@AndrewHolnessJM) December 8, 2021
Shakespeare’s work in the 80’s cemented his status as a revolutionary after he was an early herald of the digital age of recording and production. He also had a hand in the introduction of the “rocker beat” to reggae music, opposing the more common “one drop” and “steppers” rhythms implemented before.
Listen below to one of Shakespeare’s classic collaborations with Culture, “Two Sevens Clash”.
