By: Editor C. Harrison | 9/8/2023 | 12:17 AM
New York, NY…For a grown man he had an innocent sounding voice. That was my first impression of the man called Oath Campbell, reggae artist Jesse Jendah. He spoked and his voice sounded like an old friend, which we fast became over a one and half year period where I got to know him better. I l knew of him saw him sing but never had the pleasure of talking to him personally. I met him up close and personal for the first time at the eye doctor after talking with each other for months; he came with a woman he had told me about whom he had just met. He said nothing personal about her but spoke of her in general. it was an appointment I kind of forced on him and press him to go to.
The year 2020 through 2021, he and I found the phone vital as he was talking to me about what was next for him. We spoke about an upcoming tour he wanted to do in Africa, which I immediately tried to talk him out of doing, knowing of his condition. I told him that if he went, he would need an eye and ear 24 seven with him catering to him. Don’t know if he took my advice seriously. Moreover, we talked about his then upcoming album, “Strong Black Woman,” which he named Galbum. Basically, he told me about his life’s story and after chastised me about not to use half of what we discussed in the article.
Furthermore, we discussed him coming East, to do a music video with a well sort after video producer. The video turned out to be a mini movie of his song “Rasta Bun A Fire Pon Hello,” produced by Executives Producers, Vincent Ellis, Michael Luvsmith and himself. He had told me it was going to be like a movie and as promised it was. I promised him I will published the article. I deemed the article relevant and significant to our times. The last time we literally spoke, was January 2023 and once again in June, where he said that he was ok, and we promised to stay in touch.
As an experience journalist and the editor of Bundiblog.com, I don’t remember interviewing anyone before who could put one at ease with his voice and joked even when the topics turned serious. Jendah, was a spirited and spiritual individual; ridiculously intelligent and far most, a teacher. I could see why he chose Social Work, in his off times and why he was such a caliber writer and musician…a Producer’s heaven. He reminds me of a perfectionist, seriously innocent in certain aspects and notoriously insensible about other things. he envisioned things purely and raw like a flower. I will always remember the intense fierce rude side of him combined with his ingenious witts, which many people sidestep. He always made it clear that many people do not like him. Probably because he speaks brutally honest to a fault sometimes that can cut ice. And many people don’t overstand that.
Jendah, complained bitterly about what happened between him and the former Prime Minister P. J. Patterson. He felt that had Patterson listened to him when they both had that infamous talk, in Jamaica; Jamaica would have been far ahead of the monetary monies game, as far as the marijuana production aka matequano distribution, as he called it. He was angry about the fact that Patterson, later got into the same marijuana distribution Game…that he foresaw coming years earlier. He said, “Jamaica could have made a killing off the sales of marijuana and we missed out on that chance because they did not see the vision.” I could go on and on here.
Conversely, I came to know Jendah sincerely because of a phone call from one of his bonified friend, a mutual friend…Radio personality Tony Cobb, who wanted Jendah to have an article written about him. I had written a couple of articles on Cobb few years before, which was placed in the Gleaner newspaper, as I was a correspondence and writer for that paper back then. The rest is history.
Jendah never really got the notoriety he deserves for one of his most important signature song, he wrote and starred in the video that came out of Jamaica. “Rude Boy Remember Remember Mi Little Island Jamaica,” some deem should have been a national treasure. At the time of its’ released it was the most powerful song and rhythm written yet, to come out of Jamaica. Other notable Jendah songs include: “Kween of The Morning Star,” produce by Infinity Records, California: “Mind Jah Lick You With Diseases,” “Technology,” “Marijuana,” “Hey lady,” “Rock Roots & Reggae,” “T’Sion,” and “Sip Cup; to name a few. The exceptional musician’s songs and music will transient generations and will always be relevant to global causes. Jendah was a part of the Phillip ‘Fattis’ Burrell and the Xterminator camp. his influence on Reggaes Music fraternity, artist and insiders, speaks volume. The prolific musician was also versatile and an experience traveler who toured the world, especially intensely in Africa. When asked how he governed himself in the manner that he did, he would say, “I patterned myself like Jesse in the Bible.”
Sadly, the outspoken firebrand known as King Furnace and beloved reggae artist, we know as Jesse Jendah, died Monday, August 7, 2023 at 2:15 PM at 58 years old. He died in a Bronx hospital. The precise cause of death is not known yet as of this article. Jendah suffered from a malignant brain tumor and blindness.
Jendah’s sunrise February 13, 1965, and his sunset August 7, 2023. he is survived by his wife, his mother, his brothers, his sisters, his auntes, cousins, four children and a recently added five-month -old daughter, T’Scion, Brethren’s and friends. No doubt he will be missed by all.
