BMG mourns the passing of reggae-roots legend Toots Hibbert, aged 77. Hibbert passed away Friday, September 11 following being hospitalized for breathing problems. He was awaiting COVID-19 tests before being placed in a medically induced coma.

In a statement released via Hibberts’ management social media, late Friday evening, read, “It is with the heaviest of hearts to announce that Frederick Nathaniel ‘Toots’ Hibbert passed away peacefully tonight, surrounded by his family at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica. The family and his management team would like to thank the medical teams and professionals for their care and diligence, and ask that you respect their privacy during their time of grief. Mr. Hibbert is survived by his wife of 39 years, Miss D, and his seven of eight children.”

Frederick Hibbert was the frontman of the groundbreaking reggae and ska group Toots and The Maytals for nearly six decades. BMG released his final works, the studio album Got To Be Tough, via Trojan Jamaica, in August. The album was co-produced by Zak Starkey and features contributions from Ringo Starr, Ziggy Marley, Sly Dunbar and Cyril Neville.

Most notably, Hibbert was sentenced to 18 months in prison for possession of marijuana, an experience providing inspiration for one of his best-known songs, ’54-46 That’s My Number’. He later appeared in the groundbreaking Jamaican film The Harder They Come, whose soundtrack included the Maytals' 1969 hit song ‘Pressure Drop’. Releasing landmark albums throughout his career, including Funky Kingston, Hibbert is regarded as an influential global superstar.