Red Rat - Contributed

The entertainment community is mourning the loss of another one of its members this week with the death of producer Daniel 'Blaxxx' Lewis.

The producer reportedly succumbed to cancer yesterday morning. This comes in the wake of the death of gospel deejay Craig C on Monday.

Blaxxx was known for rhythms such as 'Blackout' which featured popular hits Picture This and Real Deal from Vybz Kartel, Anthem from Bounty Killer, Doing It Right from Elephant Man, Wrath from Sizzla and more.

He also produced the 'Operation Blacks' rhythm which featured Wayne Marshall, Supa Hype, Munga, Mavado among others. Alongside Don Corleon he produced the popular 'Egyptian' rhythm with hits Egyptian Dance from Elephant Man, Sweet to di Belly from Kartel, I Will Love the Girls from Wayne Marshall and others.

Speaking with a number of entertainers who were close to the producer, they described him as a positive, hard working individual. Wayne Marshall told THE WEEKEND STAR, "Me and Blaxxx did whole heap of work, from dem time deh till now. I knew him before the car accident that made him cripple below di waist. Blaxxx was just a fun loving yute, a real well trained keyboardist, musician, producer, extraordinnaire. Blaxxx was one of the yutes who led the movement, of like keyboard phrases, involving all the keyboard sounds into the dancehall. He helped out Don Corleon when Don did a rise, Shiah Coore, Blunt dat whole movement from Mona, he was a pivotal yute, a great yute."

He added, "His passing came sudden, I don't think he was really letting a lot of people know about the cancer. It's really sudden, so it kinda hit us hard. It sad to know it overcame him so quickly but it's just one of dem tings, he's gonna be missed, cause he's a gifted yute ... yute weh well respected and loved, we ago always remember him still, he's our Blaxxx, top dog."

When contacted a sad sounding Red Rat said, "Me and Blaxxx grow up together, from me about 12, 13 I knew him. My bredda kinda teach Blaxxx how to do music. We we're very close from him accident to the last time mi see him. I want di people dem know he was a good yute, even though he was in a wheelchair you woulda neva know, he was always positive, him live him life to the fullest. Real good yute."

Deejay Buccaneer who formed the Black House label with Blaxxx in 2004, said, "Me know Blaxxx long time, Red Rat mek me know him, that was before the accident that crippled him. He was a good yute, jovial, kind hearted, look out fi him friend dem, always happy, although him disabled."

Deejay Benzly Hype said he knew Blaxxx from when he Hype was a teenager. He said, "I saw him about three weeks ago, when he was going in to do a minor operation and he had gone in the morning and came out in the evening and was back home, so I'm kinda surprised when me hear this morning, I don't know what to say."

positive person

He added, "Blaxxx was a very positive person, always full of energy, even though he had a disability he lived life to the fullest."

On social-networking site Twitter.com as the news of Blaxxx's death spread a number of entertainers and producers sent out their respects. Deejay Sean Paul tweeted, "There are many musical soldiers, Sir Blaxxx was one of the bravest. You will be missed, we will not forget you, RIP."

Kunley from Ward 21 tweeted, "Rest in peace mi fren Blaxxx. He was an example in overcoming obstacles. Bless up to him friends and fam." Jordan McClure from Chimney Records also tweeted, "R.I.P. Blaxxx, your contribution to dancehall/reggae music will not be forgotten."