Reggae Artist Lazah Current Dies Unexpectedly at Home in Jamaica

Hal Duggan, the Jamaican-Canadian reggae singer and producer known across the diaspora as Lazah Current, died unexpectedly at his home in Jamaica on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. The reggae fraternity moved quickly into mourning, with tributes arriving from musicians, community members, and fans within hours of the news breaking.

Duggan's story traced a full arc through the Caribbean diaspora. He was born in the hills of Manchester, Jamaica, migrated to Toronto in 1975, and eventually became a member of Messenjah, the Juno Award-winning Canadian reggae band. Five decades in music took him to stages in Toronto, Kingston, the United States, Cuba, and beyond. Despite that run of Canadian success, he returned to Jamaica to rebuild his solo career from the ground up, seeking, as Reggae North put it, audiences who would judge him on what he brought them that day, not on his past accolades.

That period of reconstruction produced some of his most recognized work. His collaboration with the venerated Luciano on "Power to the People" became a global anthem, achieving heavy rotation worldwide and cementing his standing as both artist and producer under his own Lazah Records imprint.

His most recent work was still in motion when he died. Duggan had been working on a new single titled "AI" and a broader project called Reggae Revolution. O'Gilvie, who worked alongside him on community initiatives, described the single plainly: "It's a master class. He talked about how technology has woven itself into our daily lives and can sometimes feel insurmountable. Lazah was among the first reggae artists to speak about the 'AI' phenomenon taking over our daily activities." An interview had been arranged for February 26 with Anthony "Guru" Turner of Caribbean National Weekly to discuss that very single. "Unfortunately, it did not proceed due to his untimely passing," O'Gilvie said.

His community work ran parallel to his music. In 2024, Duggan performed at the Porus Community Center Homecoming event alongside Bounty Killer, Loyal Flames, Chronic Law, and Exco Levi. The event, hosted by radio personalities Don P and Mas Ras and organized annually by community businessman Karam Peruad, supports local families with back-to-school supplies. He also backed O'Gilvie's philanthropic efforts through Friends of Porus and Give Back Jamaica.

O'Gilvie offered a tribute that carried both the grief and the spirit of the man: "I want to take this opportunity to say to all Lazah Current fans, keep hope alive. Good over evil. His music and lyrics will live on forever. To Lazah's family, thank you for sharing this visionary and lyrical genius with us. As Lazah would always say, keep on 'Zapppping.' May the good Lord our Savior, Yeshua Christ, be with him and always in paradise. Rastafari levity."

A long-time associate who asked not to be named put it more simply: "He never stopped. Right up to the end, he was recording, he was planning, he was fighting for something. That's who Lazah was. He didn't know another way to be."

Cause of death and age at the time of passing have not been disclosed. Funeral arrangements had not been announced at press time.