“The Drums Are Silent”: Music Producer Kendoyll Simpson Dies After Cancer Battle

Belize’s music community is mourning the loss of producer and audio engineer Kendoyll Simpson, professionally known as “KSBEATS”. His partner Anika Perez revealed he spent the last two years privately battling cancer while continuing to make music. He passed away on Sunday.

“Kendoyll was a very private person and chose not to share his journey publicly because he did not want anyone to worry or feel saddened on his behalf. He also did not want to be treated with pity, as he felt it would have affected his mental health,” Perez said in an online statement.

Perez said Simpson kept working through his illness until he could no longer continue and “will be remembered as a talented musical genius.” She added, “While this news may come as a shock to many, we simply honored and respected his wishes throughout his battle.”

“He just wanted to continue his music. He did that while he was battling with cancer until he could no longer bare it,” she added. 

Simpson leaves behind his 10-year-old daughter, whom Perez said, “Kenny loved deeply.”

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 while collaborating with artists across the region.

“The drums are silent, but your rhythm lives on in every life you’ve touched,” Perez added.