He was 80 years old.
Reggae pioneer Max Romeo has passed away at the age of 80, leaving behind an inspiring musical legacy.
The news was announced through his official social media platforms, stating that he died on Friday, April 11, 2025, due to heart-related issues in Saint Andrew Parish, Jamaica.
“It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our dearly loved Max,” the statement said. “We are sincerely thankful for the immense love and tributes we’ve received. We kindly ask for privacy during this time. Legends never truly fade.”
Max Romeo is best known for iconic tracks such as ‘War Ina Babylon’ and ‘Chase The Devil’—the latter famously sampled by The Prodigy in their 1992 hit Out Of Space.
Born Maxwell Livingston Smith in 1944, Romeo launched his music career in Kingston during the mid-1960s, performing with the vocal group The Emotions. His breakout moment came in 1968 with the provocative single ‘Wet Dream’, which, despite being banned by the BBC, climbed into the UK Top 10 and stayed on the charts for 25 weeks.
During the 1970s, Romeo became closely linked with Jamaica’s social democratic movement. His track ‘Let The Power Fall’ served as the campaign anthem for the People’s National Party in their 1972 electoral victory.
His landmark 1976 album ‘War Ina Babylon’—produced by the legendary Lee “Scratch” Perry and supported by The Upsetters—was released via Island Records and remains one of reggae’s most influential albums.
In 1978, Romeo moved to New York, where he co-authored and starred in the musical ‘Reggae’. He also contributed backing vocals to The Rolling Stones’ Dance (Pt. 1) from their 1980 album ‘Emotional Rescue’.
More recently, in 2023, Romeo filed a lawsuit against Universal Music Group and PolyGram Records, accusing them of withholding royalty payments dating back to the mid-1970s.
“It’s incredibly sad to hear of his death,” said his attorney Errol Michael Henry. “He was a true gentleman—kind, warm, and deeply devoted to his family. A legend in every sense. Losing someone like him is truly heartbreaking.”
