Reggae Star Fantan Mojah Dies
Reports from multiple Jamaican and regional outlets say roots reggae singer Fantan Mojah (born Owen Lennox Moncrieffe) died on Tuesday at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston after suffering complications related to a heart condition. He was 49, just weeks shy of his 50th birthday, and had been preparing to perform at this year’s Reggae Jam Festival in Germany. The reggae fraternity has begun to mourn a leading voice in conscious reggae as family and officials have yet to issue detailed public statements; updates are expected from his representatives and verified media outlets.
Reggae singer Fantan Mojah — born Owen Lennox Moncrieffe on August 5, 1976 — reportedly died on Tuesday at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) in Kingston after suffering complications related to a long-standing heart condition, according to reports from Observer Online, Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) and Guavaberry.
Guavaberry and other outlets said the entertainer was 49, just weeks short of his 50th birthday. Sources report that his health deteriorated rapidly over the last week after he returned to Jamaica from the United States in apparently good spirits. A close associate and booking agent identified as Vertex told Observer Online that Fantan “started to ‘tek down’” in recent days, was admitted to UHWI, and “last night, he was vomiting blood, and that was it.
He passed away.” The reported death follows a string of serious health challenges for the artist. In July 2024 he was hospitalised in Martinique after experiencing breathing difficulties and chest pains; contemporaneous accounts said doctors found his heart was functioning at roughly 15 percent capacity.
Media reports through early 2025 described steady improvement and he subsequently returned to performing in Europe, with plans to appear at this year’s Reggae Jam Festival in Germany — organisers and sources said Schengen visas for that engagement had recently been approved. Born in White Hill, St Elizabeth, Jamaica, Fantan Mojah rose to prominence in the early 2000s as one of the leading voices of conscious roots reggae.
He began in local travelling sound systems and at one time worked washing windows while pursuing music. Early in his career he performed under the name Mad Killer before embracing the Rastafari faith and adopting the stage name Fantan Mojah, reportedly encouraged by fellow reggae artist Capleton.
His breakthrough single “Hungry” and his 2005 debut album Hail the King — with songs such as Rasta Got Soul, Stronger, Corruption and Nuh Build Great Man — established him internationally as an artist whose lyrics emphasised spirituality, social justice and African identity (Guavaberry).
Reports say he built a devoted following across the Caribbean and in Europe, known for a distinctive tenor voice and uncompromising Rastafarian message. His final social media posts showed him in positive spirits — one clip of him dancing behind a DJ booth was shared widely after news of his death — and fans, fellow musicians and promoters have begun posting tributes to his life and music (Guavaberry; VINO).
Fantan Mojah is reportedly the father of at least five children. His passing will be felt across the reggae community and in the British Virgin Islands, where his music is often heard at community events, sound-system nights and beach gatherings. Local artists, radio stations and promoters are likely to mark his contribution to contemporary roots reggae in the coming days.
At the time of these reports, family representatives had not issued a detailed public statement and some details remain unconfirmed by official sources. Those seeking updates on funeral arrangements or formal tributes should follow verified announcements from family members, his booking representatives and established media outlets; BVI Live will provide updates as more information becomes available.
Primary source: VINO