The Dancehall Reggae community is mourning for the death of Jamaican deejay Merciless, born Leonard Bartley, that passed away this past Tuesday, July 19 at the age of only 51.
Legendary Jamaican recording artist Merciless was found dead in a guest house on Walker’s Avenue, off Beechwood Avenue, in Kingston on Tuesday evening. He had checked in the motel alone.
He wasn’t feeling too well that evening, as reported by the Jamaican press after his body was discovered by a close friend that went looking for him after not hearing from him for a couple of days.
Apparently, based on the words of Gadaffi, his long time manager and friend, Mercilessdied of an alcohol overdose for a broken heart for not receiving and getting the rates his music and career deserved.
The dancehall artist, born in Clarendon, made his recording debut in 1994 with ‘Lend Out Mi Mercy’, that became a hit, following up with more hits like ‘Gal Dem Gizzada’, ‘Ole Gallis’, ‘Mama Cooking’, ‘Mavis’ (voiced over Shaggy’s popular Boombastic riddim) and more.
Listen To Merciless “Mavis”
During his career Merciless received one of his biggest forwards performing at a Notting Hill Carnival show, when he performed his popular hit ‘Mavis’ with the line ‘gal ah fly all the way from Paris’ for a million-strong crowd in London, England.
During that show Busta Rhymes introduced Merciless onstage, and Merciless’ former manager Gadaffi said it was the biggest forward of the artiste’s career. ‘Mavis’ was the top reggae single in Jamaica in 1995, but it could not be released internationally because it was on the same rhythm as Shaggy’s ‘Boombastic’.
Boombastic Riddim Mix (1995) Merciless,Red Fox,Mad Cobra,Frankie Paul & More
Merciless, who is also known as Warhead’, is best known for a legendary clash which took place at Sting 2000 when he destroyed Ninjaman, Bounty Killer and Beenie Man, turning the tables when they tried to ambush him in a lyrical face-off at the Jamworld Entertainment Complex in Portmore, St Catherine.
During his stellar career Merciless recorded three albums: Mr Merciless (1994), for VP Records; Len’ Out Mi Mercy (1995), Annex ; and Mama’s Cooking (1997), for Greensleeves Records.
Merciless also collaborated with Dancehall Superstar Lady Saw for the music singles ‘Baby Mother’ and ‘Long Till It Bend’. He also collaborated with War Lord Bounty Killer on ‘No One Cares’, and with Beenie Man on ‘Mama’.
Merciless leaves has two children, one of whom is a US-based rapper called Zion. His wife was discovered dead in a house in Longville Park, in Clarendon in 2015, where Investigators uncovered empty pill bottles close to the body.
RIP Merciless his name will resonate forever in Dancehall History.
