‘Kette Drum’ Singer Determine Dead At 52

Well-known Reggae singer Determine, known for his iconic Nyabinghi hit Kette Drum with Dancehall star Beenie Man, passed away today after a long battle with cancer. He was 52.

Artist manager Paula Francis, the mother of three of Determine’s children, confirmed his passing. “I cannot talk now, but it’s true, he died of cancer,” she managed to say between a rain of tears.

Determine and Francis’ children include the artist known as Runkus (born Romario Bennett) who started recording at the age of seven.

Known to some as “Meshak”, Determine was born Rohan Bennett in Annotto Bay, St. Mary. Most Reggae and dancehall fans associate him with Kette Drum, the 1995 Nyahbinghi single he did with Beenie Man for producer Bobby Digital.

It was the title track on the popular rhythm which also drove hit songs like Cocoa Tea’s Holy Mount Zion, Seek God by Bounty Killer and ‘Til I’m Laid to Rest by Buju Banton.

Kette Drum was Determine’s third song, following Zion Hill and Full Speed (with Terror Fabulous). He also recorded other songs such as Searching and Mi Go Through Dat.

His albums include Rock The World (1996) for VP Records, Freedom Chant (1999), and Mi Go Through Dat (2004).