Max Romeo dead: Reggae legend banned by BBC dies, aged 80

Reggae legend Max Romeo has passed away at the age of 80 - with his death announced online on Sunday. The Jamaican musician released music from 1967 until 2022 - including a 1968 track that caused shockwaves thanks to its suggestive title.

It was revealed over the weekend that Max had sadly passed away after suffering heart complications. The shock news of his passing was announced via social media on Saturday - sparking a flood of messages from devastated fans.

A statement published online read: "It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Max. We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and tributes, and kindly ask for privacy at this time. Legends never die."

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Further reports revealed he had died of heart complications in a hospital in Saint Andrew Parish, Jamaica, on Friday. DancehallMag broke the news of his passing soon after his death - with a family member revealing they were devastated by his passing.

The singer's daughter, Azana Smith, told the publication on Friday: "The family is devastated right now."

She continued: “My father Maxie Smith is not in this dimension anymore, he is not here for me to speak with but he lives on. The family is mourning and asking for privacy at this time.”

It was revealed. by Maxie, who performs under the name Xana Romeo, that her father had been in hospital but was due to be discharge on Friday before he passed away unexpectedly. She took to social media herself to share a photograph of her father, and wrote: "Love you dad" alongside a white heart emoji.

Max started his career in the 1960s and raised eyebrows in 1968 when he released a single titled Wet Dream. The song, produced by Harry Robinson and Junior Smith, was deemed too sexually explicit and was banned from being broadcast by some networks - including the .

However, this failed to prevent interest in the song, and the track ended up rocketing up the charts in the UK - reaching the top 10. The single also enjoyed success elsewhere in Europe including the Netherlands where it charted at number 11.

In a 2023 interview with YouTuber Teach Dem, Max revealed that the furore only encouraged him to record and release other singles with suggestive titles. He created tracks Play with Your P***y, P***y Watchman, and Wine Her Goosie.

As his career progressed, he became more politically and spiritually focused - with one of his tracks being picked out to soundtrack the political campaign of eventual Jamaican Prime Minister Michael Manley - who served from 1989 until 1992.

Having released music since the 1960s, Max stunned the music in 2023 when he launched a lawsuit against Universal Music Group and Polygram Publishing, Inc. for $15 million (£12 million), claiming they had failed to pay him royalties for his work for more than 50 years.

Fans have been shocked by the announcement of the star's death and have flooded social media with messages of condolance. One fan wrote in response to an announcement about Max's death: "Rest in eternal power, King Maxie." And another wrote: "Legends never die."

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