Brazilian rap legend DJ Jamaika dies aged 55

Brazilian rap legend DJ Jamaika died at the age of 55 this Thursday (3/23). He had been fighting cancer for years and was admitted to the Paranoá Hospital.

Friends and fans posted tributes to the artist on social media.

Jefferson da Silva Alves was born in Taguatinga, on October 28, 1967, but began his career in Ceilândia. Pioneer of hip-hop from Brasilia, he led the rap group Álibi, with his brother, Kabala.

I’m just watching, Rap do Piolho and Dois Maluco num Opala 71 are some of the DJ’s hits that made him nationally known.

The rapper has released at least seven albums in his career; among them: Utopia – If It Was Always Like This…, from 1998; De Rocha, from 1999; Pá doido pirá, from 2000; Antidote, from 2002. In 2003, the DJ released a compilation called Dub Remix. The titles Evangelôco and Alibi para a Morte debuted in 2008.

In 2002, with her rap career already consolidated, Jamaika changed segments and started composing for the gospel medium. Despite the change, in addition to conquering a new audience, the artist continued successfully among old fans.

On March 8, the rapper released the music video for the song A Chuva, the last work released by him (watch below).

Broadcaster Toninho Pop, anchor of the program Cabeças da Notícia, on Metropolis Radiolamented the death of his friend.

“I met Jamaika in a rap contest in 1987, with Rap do Piolho. It was a protest lyric, and we made a softer version to be played on the radio”, said Toninho Pop.

Policy

The rapper tried his hand at politics. Since 2010, he tried to run for district deputy, but managed to get elected.