Tribute To Tubby T

A couple of weeks ago, I saw that Silver Star's latest podcast featured the talented MC and singer Tubby T. Initially I thought he'd recovered from the major stroke he suffered in 2004 and was making his eagerly awaited return to music. But on seeing his name I'd jumped to the wrong conclusion: sadly, Tubby had died a few days earlier and the show was dedicated to his memory.

With x-amount of wicked Tubby T tunes and memories of his life and musical career, the Silver Star tribute podcast is essential listening: download the mp3 from their website. More tributes: Rozan, Hattie Collins and Facebook.

tribute-to-tubby-t-image01

I remember speaking to Roll Deep's manager - who also managed Tubby T - to book Riko for Heatwave vs Mas Fuego back in 2005, and asking him about the possibility of getting Tubby to perform at the night when he was well again. At the time it was hoped that he'd be OK and would begin recording and performing again in the near future.

Unfortunately it wasn't to be and now, outweighing the disappointment of losing one of the most promising and talented English urban artists comes the sadness of a young life being cut short before its time.

tribute-to-tubby-t-image02 Tubby T's hits included Tales Of Da Hood with garage super producer Sticky, Big & Bashy with UK hip hop veteran Fallacy, I Like It on Commander B's grime classic Pum Pum riddim and Ready She Ready for dancehall/reggae producer Seanie B.

The way his bashment vocals were so in demand and successful within these apparently distinct 'genres' of UK urban music makes Tubby's career a great example of the way that Jamaican influences run through so much black music in Britain.

In fact we featured Tubby's Ready She Ready - voiced on the Spanish Fly riddim alongside Jamaican artists like Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Vybz Kartel and Sizzla - on An England Story, our compilation showcasing dancehall-influenced English MCs:

MP3: Tubby T - Ready She Ready

Last week, London dancehall crew Suncycle recorded this moving tribute to their friend and colleague:

MP3: Suncycle - Tribute To Tubby T

tribute-to-tubby-t-image03

Like Silver Star and Tubby T, Suncycle hail from North West London and grew up with Tubby musically as well as locally, excelling like him in dancehall-inflected UK garage and straight-up bashment. I like the way their tribute describes Tubby both as a superb artist, successful entertainer and an inspiring individual. As Lady Chann puts it:

You used to greet me with your hugs and kiss
And all of this will be truly missed
A perfect gentleman and optimist
Cah nuff stage show you know you surely ripped it

Top entertainer inna di business
And nobody can't step inna your shoes quick
Cah you a UK legend
Bare positivity a weh you deh pon

Rest in peace, Tubby T.

Posted by Gabriel Heatwave | Saturday 14 June 2008

Comments

1. Lady Chann (Suncycle) on 03 July 2008

We badly miss Tubby, just knowin we aint gonna see him again, kind of mad, even though we stopped seein him every every day,,, we’d still communicate via email,myspace and dat, and just to know he was alive was more than enuf, but boy now hes gone, thers a big space mate,,, madness. But im sure he’s rippin up bare stage shows in heaven fully able bodied too(comforting to think about)

Add a comment

We only need your email to prevent spam and won't use it in any other way.