Celebrated audio engineer and reggae music producer Sheldon ‘Calibud’ Stewart has died on the age of 47, following a quick battle with pancreatic most cancers. He handed away on July 1 in New York, the place he had been receiving therapy.
“Every thing occurred so quick. We’re nonetheless absorbing it,” mentioned a supply near the household, highlighting the shock surrounding his sudden prognosis and fast decline.
Born in Hanover and raised in Kingston, Stewart attended Calabar Excessive Faculty earlier than turning into deeply embedded in Jamaica’s reggae scene. He grew up in Waterhouse and later Hughenden—areas that had been central to the legacy of his stepfather, the late legendary producer Robert ‘Bobby Digital’ Dixon. As an engineer, Calibud contributed to a lot of Dixon’s influential initiatives, together with Sizzla’s iconic 1997 album Black Girl and Baby.
Hanging out on his personal, Stewart based the Cali Bud label, identified for championing one-drop reggae and culturally acutely aware music. He produced highly effective tracks comparable to By no means Go The place Pagans Go by Warrior King, I Burn by Bushman, and QQ’s Betta Mus Come, all of which made a long-lasting impression on the style.
Warrior King, who labored intently with Calibud on his first two albums, paid a heartfelt tribute: “He was like an enormous brother to me… despite the fact that we had our variations at instances as brothers do, I’ve nothing however love for him. This one hit actually arduous.” He added, “We’ve created soo many classics which have impressed soo many individuals around the globe… his works will stay on for eternity.”
Calibud additionally labored with reggae greats like Buju Banton, producing Mr 9, and Norris Man on Sweetest Time.
Stewart is survived by his mom, father, two kids, and several other brothers and sisters. His passing marks a deep loss for the reggae neighborhood, however his musical legacy will proceed to resonate throughout generations.
