Reggae Legend Max Romeo Has Died at 80

Reggae veteran Max Romeo has reportedly died on Friday night at the age of 80. He was known for hits like “Wet Dream” and gained global recognition in the 1990s when his song “Chase the Devil” was sampled by British electronic group The Prodigy

Reggae legend Max Romeo has passed away

Reggae veteran Max Romeo reportedly died on Friday night at the age of 80. According to his family, Romeo passed away from heart complications at a hospital in Saint Andrew Parish, Jamaica.

Born in St. Ann Parish, Max Romeo rose to fame in the 1960s with his provocative songs of slackness, many produced by the legendary Lee "Scratch" Perry. His first major breakthrough came with “Wet Dream,” a track that became a massive hit in Jamaica. Despite being banned by BBC Radio in the UK due to its overtly sexual lyrics, the song climbed into the UK Top 10 and remained on the charts for six months.

He was best known for his acclaimed album "War Ina Babylon", widely regarded as his greatest work. The politically and religiously charged project included the classic single “Chase the Devil,” one of his biggest hits, which was later sampled by British electronic music group The Prodigy.

Over the years, Romeo toured extensively across the globe, gaining a strong following—particularly in the UK, Europe, and the U.S.