Impact has generated the sudden death of Jah Fabio, Mexican artist of 43 years who died a few hours ago product of a renal failure, Key figure of reggae dancehall of Mexico that managed to expand its borders and break with its music into the Jamaican culture.
Native of the city of Guadalajara, Favio Velasco, Born the 22 August 1981, He was diagnosed with chronic renal failure 8 years and for 3 He was in hemodialysis every week.
Reggae reached his life as an escape exit to a depression product of a frustrated dream. As a child that his desire was to be a professional footballer, between the 6 and the 17 years he concentrated his efforts to achieve it without much success. This is how music knocked on his door in his early years as a college student and from then on he hasn't stopped..
In 2002 He founded with Pedro Ornelas the first independent reggae seal in Mexico, Natty Congo Records, in which they published records such as Fidel Nadal with Pablo Molina, In addition to the debut album Jah Fabio, Rasta for you.
His love for football -a fan of the Atlas Club was- He also expressed it in music and manifested in several compositions dedicated to the team.
Among them stands out “We are those of Atlas”, a song that became a hymn for the red and black fans and that Jah Fabio interpreted during part time of the final of the Opening Tournament 2021 which ended with the second championship of the Tapatío team, cutting a streak of 70 years without champion.
Two decades of his foray into music, after 10 years in the band Natty Congo and later road as a soloist, Jah Fabio positioned himself as the Mexican artist of Reggae Dancehall with greater international recognition and more incursion in Jamaica, a market difficult to conquer from the Latin world mainly due to the language barrier, and also because of the cultural barrier.
Even so, entered the market signing with the seal Danger Zone Music Group And also working with Contractor Music. It was the first and only Latin artist -to date- in presenting at the most important festival on the island, the Reggae Sumfest, debuting in 2018 and summoned again in 2022. His third participation in that important scenario was scheduled for July this year.
In April of 2021, In conversation with Reggae Chalice Magazine, The artist referred to the difficulties of entering Jamaica's music market being a foreigner.
“Entering the musical circle of Jamaica is completely difficult. I have worked easy 7 years trying to get in and a couple of years ago I started stronger. I think it is very important that reggae and dancehall artists are interested in going to Jamaica, in trying to get in and understand how music is made, Try to update to grow gender in Latin America because sadly the genre is late 20 years”, said on the occasion.
Throughout his career of more than two decades, He recruited in his path collaborations with great artists of the world scene as Fidel Nadal, Spice, Gyptian, Nando Boom, among other big names such as Vybz Kartel, Warrior King, Pamputtae. Three years ago a collaboration with the Chilean artist premiered Mc Dealer.
Jah Fabio was a warrior. He brought his voice and his message crossing borders and running the fence of what was until now possible for a Latin reggae artist. Forcefully sang against oppression, injustice, poverty; raised his voice for love, For life, the family.
“Reggae music gives me a lot of inspiration and enough power to keep the fire on and not give up” (The Gleaner, 2022)
