Reggae and dancehall are mourning Lieutenant Stitchie, the veteran Jamaican deejay and gospel artiste whose rapid-fire delivery, humour and vivid storytelling made him one of the distinctive voices of his generation. Stitchie, whose given name was Cleveland “Cleve” Laing, died in hospital on September 28, 2026.
Before the international stages, there was Spanish Town. Stitchie developed his craft through the sound-system circuit and broke through during the 1980s, with “Wear Yuh Size” helping establish the quick delivery, wit and character-driven storytelling that became central to his style.
His career expanded beyond Jamaica as dancehall itself reached wider audiences. Stitchie became one of the early Jamaican dancehall artistes to sign with Atlantic Records, bringing his unmistakable delivery to a larger international market while continuing to build a catalog rooted in Jamaican deejay culture.
His life and music later took a different direction. After becoming a born-again Christian in 1997, Stitchie moved into gospel reggae and ministry, carrying the vocal technique and stage presence of his dancehall years into music centered on faith and inspiration.
The Government of Jamaica recognized his contribution to music with the Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer in 2021. His career ultimately connected several worlds: sound-system deejay, recording artiste, international performer, gospel musician, educator and minister.
For Reggae Dancehall Vault, remembering Lt. Stitchie means remembering the full arc of that journey — the humour and speed of the early dancehall recordings, the international career, the reinvention, and a voice that remained immediately recognizable across decades.