Max Romeo’s legacy stretched for decades

Max Romeo, the iconic Jamaican reggae artist best known for tracks such as ‘Chase the Devil’ and ‘War Ina Babylon’, has died from heart complications aged 80.

The singer-songwriter, real name Maxie Smith, died in Saint Andrew Parish, Jamaica, on 11 April. Romeo is a contemporary of Bob Marley who he grew up with in Trench Town, Kingston.

Romeo achieved chart success in Jamaica and in the United Kingdom throughout several decades. He had several hits with the vocal group The Emotions and scored his first solo hit song with the 1968 risqué ‘Wet Dream’ which included overtly sexual lyrics.

He is also known for iconic works as the critically acclaimed album, ‘Let the Power Fall’. Released in 1971, it included a number of politically charged songs, most advocating the democratic socialist People’s National Party (PNP), which chose ‘Let the Power Fall’ as its theme song for the 1972 Jamaican general election.

In 1976, Romeo released the album ‘War Inna Babylon’, his best work. It included ‘Chase the Devil’, his best known song. It has been covered by Dreadzone, The Prodigy, Madness and Earl Sixteen and was sampled by Kanye West.

Romeo moved to New York in 1978, where he co-wrote and starred in the musical ‘Reggae’.

In 2023, he filed a lawsuit against Universal Music Group and Polygram for US$15 million, claiming for unpaid royalties for his work spanning 50 years.

Romeo completed his final tour in 2023, which included a total of 50 concerts around Europe. Dubbed The Ultimate Tour, it also featured his daughter Xana and son Azizzi.