The Reggae/dancehall community is mourning the death of Jahiant.
Multiple sources confirmed with Urban Islandz on Wednesday that dancehall deejay Jahiant was shot and killed in an incident in Ottawa, Canada, last weekend. The singer, whose real name is Markland Campbell, was reportedly defending his 18-year-old daughter after she contacted him about two men assaulting her. The artiste’s manager, Naomi Fudemoto, confirmed that he was shot in his chest and died while undergoing surgery at a local hospital.
Jahiant’s daughter told police that her father was unarmed when he came to her aid, while her attackers were armed. Police in Ottawa has since made an arrest. Donald Musselman, 18, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. He is now facing life in prison if convicted.
Jahiant was born in Jamaica but lived in Canada for most of his life. He grew up in Portmore, St. Catherine and first started deejaying at the age of thirteen. The reggae star is best known for his hit single “Girl You Know” featuring Danny Fernandes, and the 2016 conscious single “Them Shoot The Youths.” He was killed just days after his HSG (HalfSizeGiants) group released a new album titled, Life Moves Fast.
“His lifelong brethren Memo and Ironic vow to ensure Jahiant will be remembered for how he lived and not how he died,” Fudemoto said.
His family and management team are organizing a candlelight vigil for Sunday (June 16) in the same location where he collapsed.
