Major Mackerel Says Playful Foot Race With Ninjaman Cost Him His Leg

Veteran deejay Major Mackerel says it was a playful roadway sprint against his compatriot Ninjaman, several years ago, which triggered the injury that eventually led to a portion of his right leg being amputated, during emergency surgery a few weeks ago.

“Around five six years ago, me an Ninjaman a race up a Red Hills Road on di road, jus fi fun as artiste – Friday evening. Him mek him pocketful a money, and my pocket half.   But wi a have fun.  An mi run outta mi shoes, and pick up a tack…,” he explained in a recent interview with YouTuber, Teach Dem.

“Mi guh a di doctor and di doctor look bout it, get betta an mi a live yuh nuh.   And when me think it get betta, it nuh get betta.   It get betta outside, but inside, neva really get betta,” he added.

Major Mackerel explained further that the injury caused his flesh, unknown to him, to begin festering below the surface due to him being afflicted with diabetes, a condition he says is hereditary as it affected both of his parents and his siblings.

“I am diabetic since 1989.  It kill mi father; mi have two uncle weh die from it.  Mi bigger brodda Bingy General him have it tuh.  Four a mi sister dem have it; mi madda have it.  It is on both side of my family.   So it’s genetic,” he emphasized.

“I think I was immune to diabetes; I neva know it would conquer mi, di way it conquer mi,” the 52-year-old stated.

Major Mackerel, whose given name is Garfield Dixon, gained fame for his signature squealing sounds in his songs, was one of the hottest artistes in the 1980s and early 1990s.  He voiced popular songs such as the hit single Pretty Looks Done in 1987 which was arranged by Steelie and Cleevie and produced by King Jammys.

He also released Don Ban and Dutty Bungle in 1988 and Cow Cod, as well as Miss Getty Getty produced by Digital B, and Cow Cod, produced by John John, in 1993, among others.

The artiste said he visited the doctor weeks ago, at the urging of his girlfriend, after his vision became blurry and his eyes began yellowing.   The diagnosis by the doctor he said, indicated that his body was being poisoned due to the issue with the unhealed leg, and immediate amputation was recommended.

“Di wickedest ting weh happen to mi is when I wake up back mi nuh see piece a mi foot.  Di surgery weh me do is di fastest surgery in di history a Jamaica enuh.  Cause is not like mi did plan a date fi seh mi a guh duh surgery now,” he said.

Major Mackerel said the operation took place at a private hospital in Kingston, and that he was given excellent care there. However he said the bill was huge, but thankfully his plethora of friends in the entertainment fraternity moved immediately to ensure his expenses were covered.

“Di doctor bill is humongous. Fi guh a dem doctor deh yuh haffi a drive Brinks sports car,” he quipped.

“I am delighted to have great, great deejays and singer friends.  Wid di whole a mi expense, all a mi artiste dem turn up fi mi.  Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Shaggy, Capleton, Johnny Osbourne, Sanchez, Merciless, Junior Cat – everybody turn up fi Major Mackerel, a portion a artiste, Spragga Benz, Shaggy.  Di man dem just duh whole heap a dub plate fi mi,” he said.

The list of supporters also includes Singer J, Vershon, Buju Banton, Leeroy Sibbles, Konshens, Shaggy, Stitchie, Macka Diamond, as well as Freddie McGregor who had provided support to him.

“A pare entertainer come to mi rescue.  Right now, dem a put togedda a show fi mi.  Freddie McGregor, Gary Matalon, The Gleaner…,” he said.

“Major Mackerel a legend, you know.  A me a godfather inna music, and when di sun did a shine my way and di hype did deh my way, mi neva show off pon nobaddy; mi neva disrespect nobaddy an mi neva block nuh door pon nobaddy…,” he noted.