Producer And Broadcaster Arif ‘Supa Coop’ Cooper Is Dead
The Dancehall and Reggae community has been plunged in mourning following the announcement of the death of acclaimed music producer and veteran FAME FM disc jockey Arif “Supa Coop” Cooper.
Reports are that the Guardian Angel riddim producer was playing at a party at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre in Kingston, when he collapsed. He was transported to hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Cooper, who was the son of former Third World band member and music lecturer Michael “Ibo” Cooper, was instrumental in the development of the musical careers of many Jamaican artists, among them Jah Cure, Vybz Kartel, Sean Paul, Cham, Tami Chynn, Alaine, Elephant Man, , Demarco, Aidonia, Konshens, Wayne Marshall, Christopher Martin, and Charly Black.
Arif was the creator of riddims such as the Guardian Angel, Good Vybe, Shockwave and Hummer, as well as Worldwide, New Money, Celebration, Phantom, Move, Full Draw, R.A.W 1 (Ready and Willing), Up and Live, National Pride, Perfect 10 and Relationships.
He was the producer of songs such as Richie Spice’s Gideon Boot, Busy Signal’s Step Out, Sean Paul’s Hold My Hand and Imperial Blaze, and Demarco’s True Friend.
He also produced Vybz Kartel’s Forever, Credit Alone Done, Party Mi Say, In Love With You, and Jamaica Mean Time, as well as TOK’s One World and Unknown Language, and Alkaline’s Wifey and Hype tracks.
Arif shared his last piece of work on Saturday morning on his Instagram page, a collab with Reggae artist Ginjah, titled So Much To Give Thanks For, with the caption “Always Grateful, Always Thankful #MostHigh.
The late producer was introduced to music industry from a young age, as his father Ibo, put him through piano lessons as child, as well as exposed him to a large record collection. His father also took him on tour with Third World as a road crew member.
In 1991, as a founding member of the Syndicate Disco, he started out as a music selector performing at house parties dances, nightclubs, and later, as his expertise was honed, international festivals, and major international dancehall events over the world at clubs, parties and shows across New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Houston, Atlanta and Japan.
By 1998, he had entered music production where he founded Fresh Ear Productions and also assisted in the development of 2 Hard Records. That same year he joined FAME FM in the capacity of broadcaster/radio disc jockey, where he held the position until his death.
He received the Top Local Composers Award from the Jamaica Association of the Jamaica Association of Composers Authors and Publishers (JACAP) during the organisation’s 21st anniversary celebrations in back in August 2019.
In the past, he served as resident disc jockey at Club Mirage, Jamaica and Club Soul, Atlanta, and also toured with artists such as Sean Paul and Alaine.
In an October 2019 feature article, the Gleaner described Cooper as being “known for his unique ability to create timeless music a man whose “professionalism is second to none”.
Singer G Whizz, was among those who took to Cooper’s Instagram page top pay tribute.
“Supa coop the Legend, You have definitely impacted the World and Myself, thanks for Everything fam,” he wrote.
Other music fans joined in to express condolences to Cooper’s family.
“Arif, I’ve been listening to you on Fame since I was a teenager and now I am 39, the news of your passing took me by surprise.. You’ve left an indelible mark on the music industry.. RIP 🕊️🕊️ to your family my prayers are with them, the fame95 family just holds his memories tight,” chacdvale noted.
“My heart is broken Arif. We had a deal that you would play at my 50th birthday party. Every time we saw each other at work we would say “See you there!” You will be sorely missed,” leebelle876 said.
Cooper was married to Simone Clarke-Cooper, who currently serves as the chief executive officer of SimSpeak Communication, a recently launched entity that oversees “Sim Soul Sessions”, which airs Monday nights on Television Jamaica.