Prince Jazzbo

Linval Roy Carter (3 September 1951 – 11 September 2013), known professionally as Prince Jazzbo, was a Jamaican reggae and dancehall deejay and producer whose career emerged from the island’s vibrant sound system culture. Born in Clarendon Parish and raised in Kingston, he began performing on sound systems such as The Whip in Spanish Town, where he developed his distinctive toasting style. His early exposure to grassroots dancehall culture laid the foundation for a career that would span several decades. In the early 1970s, Prince Jazzbo began recording for Coxsone Dodd’s Studio One, scoring hits between 1972 and 1974 with tracks such as “School,” “Fool For Love,” and “Imperial I.” His breakthrough came with “Crabwalking,” a reworking of Horace Andy’s “Skylarking.” He also recorded with influential producers including Glen Brown, Lee “Scratch” Perry, and Bunny Lee, appearing memorably on Perry’s classic album Super Ape. During this period, he engaged in a famous but friendly lyrical clash with fellow deejay I-Roy, further boosting his profile. Beyond performing, Prince Jazzbo was an active producer and ran his own label, Ujama, supporting both his own work and that of other artists. He remained involved in music until the end of his life, releasing his final testament track “All Haffi Bow” just days before his death. Prince Jazzbo passed away from lung cancer on 11 September 2013 at the age of 62, leaving behind a respected legacy as one of reggae’s pioneering and most distinctive deejays.