Shocking - Music fraternity rocked by Arif Cooper’s sudden passing

Several tributes have been coming in for late producer and disc jockey Arif Cooper, who was a gentle giant within the music industry for more than two decades.

Speaking with THE STAR, Daron 'DJ RichRocc' Ferguson, who interacted with Cooper moments before his sudden passing, said he has lost a dear friend, who over the years became family.

"[Our connection was] all through music," he said. "I attended an event with DJ CrissCross at UWI (The University of the West Indies) where Arif was also in attendance. Introductions were made and since then the bond was created."

Cooper was mid-set at Recall Throwback Festival early Sunday morning at the Police Officers' Club in St Andrew when he collapsed. Despite receiving assistance from persons at the venue, he was pronounced dead after being taken to hospital. Ferguson, who witnessed Cooper's collapse, shared in a post on his Instagram page that Cooper offered him a drink minutes before he started his performance. Ferguson said that he wished to remember his friend in better times.

"[I want to remember him] playing music, doing what he loved, entertaining and engaging his patrons no matter the genre, as an encouraging industry team player," he said.

He added that he hoped to honour Cooper's memory by putting into practice the many lessons he learned from him.

Arguably one of the best in the business, Cooper has been lauded for his prowess on the turntables and his humility, despite being a stalwart in the industry. He worked with several of dancehall's most popular names including Vybz Kartel, Cham, Elephant Man, Voicemail, Alaine, Alkaline and Nadine Sutherland. In 1997, he launched Fresh Ears Productions which was his re-entry to the production world. It was in the following year that Cooper began working with FAME FM, a member of the RJRGLEANER Communications Group. Up until the time of his passing, was still a member of the team.

He was always fond of music and grew up around several of Jamaica's heavyweights through his father Ibo Cooper, who is known for co-founding one reggae band, Third World, and being a member of another, Inner Circle. Cooper posted the release of what turned out to be his last song early Saturday titled So Much To Give Thanks For, sung by Ginjah.

For Ferguson, he holds the memory of then having a long, unplanned reasoning session dearly.

"After an event at Mas Camp, I was about to leave and he pulled me back, hugged me and said 'Love yuh enuh fam'. What was to be a quick goodbye encounter turned into a series of genuine encouragement and laughter," he reminisced.

Condolences have come from several members of the media and music fraternities as well as government ministers including Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Culture Minister Olivia 'Babsy' Grange.