Acclaimed Jamaican reggae singer Fantan Mojah has died at the age of 49 in Kingston, following a sudden deterioration of his health.
The Rastafarian artist, whose real name was Owen Lennox Moncrieffe, passed away on Tuesday evening, July 14, 2026, at the University Hospital of the West Indies.
He was admitted to the facility after suffering severe heart-related complications, passing away just three weeks shy of his 50th birthday.
His passing was confirmed by his booking agent, Vertex, who provided details about the singer's final hours to Dancehallmag.
"Since he came back from the United States, he was hearty, but over the past week he started to 'tek down ', and he was admitted to the UHWI," Vertex said. "Last night, he was vomiting blood, and that was it. He passed away."
The singer had experienced serious health issues in recent years, including a hospitalisation in Martinique in 2024 for breathing difficulties and chest tightness. Despite those struggles, he had recovered well enough to resume touring in Europe earlier.
Born in St. Elizabeth, Fantan Mojah rose from humble beginnings. He once worked as a window washer before crossing paths with DownSound Records chief Joe Bogdanovich, a meeting that transformed his life and launched his professional music career.
"When I met him as a kid, he was a window washer," Bogdanovich recalled in a past interview.
"We got into a conversation that ended up with me recording him, and I made some really, really big records with him."
Those sessions led to his breakthrough 2005 album, Hail the King, featuring hits like "Nuh Build Great Man". The album launched him into international stardom, particularly in Europe, where he toured extensively.
Before his sudden passing, he was actively preparing to travel for upcoming performances.
According to online reports, he had recently secured his Schengen visas to perform at this year's Reggae Jam Festival in Germany.
Tributes have begun pouring in across the global music community, honouring a powerful voice that consistently championed positivity, spirituality, and Rastafarian culture.