Show Where Merciless Was Booked To Perform Turned Into Tribute After His Sudden Death

Broadcaster Dj Phil and Renee Levy, organizers of Girlys Sundays: The Birthday Edition , a Tribute to Merciless, is mourning the loss of deejay Merciless, who was booked to perform at their event at the Girl’s Hot Bar and restaurant in Spring Hill, Trelawny on July 24.

“We booked him for the show because we know him from Clarendon. We know he is versatile, so for this family event, we wanted to him to focus on reality and he Mama Cooking, and the reality side of his music, since it is a family event and to hear this news, is so tragic. We talked him to right before he went to Kingston, he was doing the ad at a studio,” Ms. Levy, who is a principal of Island Viz Biz which is co-hosting the event, said.

Dancehall deejay Merciless, also known as Leonard Bartley, passed away on July 19 at the age of 51. Merciless was found dead in a guest house on Walker’s Avenue, off Beechwood Avenue, in Kingston on Tuesday evening. He had checked in alone.

“We’re going to miss him a lot so we’re doing a tribute to him on Sunday, we’re going to play Merciless songs and the other artistes booked on the show plan to do several of his songs to honour his memory,” Ms. Levy said.

The family event features a number of young artists like Valcure, Stratus Gordon, Empress Eko, Skyla Kyro, Trapaneur and Star Social.

The Girlys Sundayz event is held on the last weekend of the month in association with Yvonne Thompson aka Girly, owner of the venue.

“This is a monthly event and I am trying to create a safe space for young artists to link up with producers and other industry insiders to help their careers,” DJ Phil, who has worked at HOT 102 and other radio stations, told DancehallMag.