Belizean Music Icon Kendoyll Simpson Dies After Cancer Battle

Belize’s music community is mourning the loss of musician and producer Kendoyll Simpson, professionally known as “KSBEATS”, who lost his two-year battle with cancer on Sunday.  Simpson built a reputation as one of Belize’s most respected music producers and audio engineers, with a career that spanned more than two decades. His work crossed genres and borders that helped form the sound of Belizean music, working with artists like Melonie Gillett, Ernestine Carballo, T.R. Shyne and Jackie Castillo while collaborating with artists across the region. His sister, Tiffany Simpson, spoke with us about his passion for music and lasting legacy.

 

Kendoyll Simpson, Music Producer (File: July 18, 2019)

“I do multiple things that involves the production of music. I do marketing for artists. I do social media marketing sites, which also help artists go viral on youtube and other social media. I also do mixing and mastering, which is a more technical, if you could see that picture right there, I was mixing a song. That requires more like physics.”

 

Tiffany Simpson, Sister of Deceased

“He started playing drums over thirty years ago. My mom taught him how to play the drums. And it’s something that he took a liking to. I remember he used to play in church service, and his foot couldn’t touch the bass peddler. That’s a tremendous amount of impact he has had. Not just here in Belize but globally. You know, he has worked with some of the biggest names in the Caribbean. I know recently Oscar B had passed away. He had done some music with him as well. And, it has – You know, every, every time I hear from him or I see him doing something, you know, it always reminds me of, you know, his drive to continue to refine what it is he was doing. He was never satisfied with, you know, just what he was producing. And he always strived for that excellence, right? And that’s what I admired the most about him. I just always want you all to remember him as the quiet, reserved musician who, you know, who would light up the stage. As the producer who, you know, carried that unique song wherever – for whatever music he was, he was producing or whatever project he was being a part of. He carried a unique flavor.”

 

Kendoyll Simpson kept working on projects until he was physically unable to do so. Though battling cancer, he remained active in the studio, helping create a Soca Monarch-winning track earlier this year. He leaves behind a ten-year-old daughter.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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