(Jamaica Observer) – International recording artiste Chaka Demus, one half of the deejay-singer recording duo Chaka Demus and Pliers, is recovering in a Kingston hospital after a major surgery.
According to reports, the deejay went to the Andrews Memorial Hospital last Tuesday for a routine check-up in preparation for an upcoming European tour. However, the attending physician immediately realised that the deejay was bleeding internally, and arranged to have a team of specialists perform emergency surgery.
“I was rushed into surgery, and I looked up and a team of specialists surrounded me and then I was out,” a release quotes the deejay.
He is now recuperating after the four-and-a-half hour operation that successfully stopped the bleeding. It is not clear when the deejay, whose real name is John Taylor, will be released to recuperate at home, but he is thankful to members of the reggae industry and his fans for lending their support in his time of need.
“This was my first major surgery, and I just want to give thanks to God Almighty, and to my fans. I had Pliers and my family and my bredrin at my bedside, and mi give thanks for all the support,” he is further quoted as saying.
He apologises for ‘scaring’ his fans and promised that he would be completing his album once he regains his strength. Last month, Chaka Demus had reunited with his long-time friend and musical partner Pliers to record a new single called “California One Night Stand” on the Free People Entertainment label.
“As mi recover, and get stronger physically, I am going to start working on my album again. And make sure that certain that things I used to do, I will stop… I am just sorry to have given my fans this scare, ah my fault,” he said.
Chaka Demus admitted that health scare has strengthened his belief in a higher power.
“I knew there was a God from ever since, but now God ah show me some signs fi take care of myself. Over the years, I have not taken the best care of myself or done regular checks-ups but now I have learned my lesson, I am going to change my lifestyle,” he said.
The duo was the first Jamaican act to have three consecutive Top 5 hits on the UK Singles Chart. The duo’s first hit, “Tease Me”, stayed in the Top 5 of the UK Singles Chart, for three months in 1993, reaching number three in July of that year.
Earlier this year, the duo filed a US$10 million lawsuit against Universal Music for trademark infringement and unpaid royalties.
