Died On This Date (December 3, 2011) Philip “Fatis” Burrell / Prolific Jamaican Record Producer

Philip “Fatis” Burell
July 23, 1954 – December 3, 3011

Philip “Fatis” Burrell was a well-respected reggae producer, artist manager, and owner of the influential label, Xterminator Records.  By most accounts, he was one of the most successful producers of the modern reggae era.  Burrell’s first credit was likely as producer of Sugar Minott’s “More Dogs To The Bone” in 1984.  Around that time, he also started his first label, Kings & Lions.  A couple of years later, Burrell launched Vena Records where he helped launch the careers of Sanchez and Pinchers.  He also released records by such established greats as Gregory Isaacs and Frankie Paul on Vena.  Over the course of his career, Burrell also worked with – either as their label head, producer, or manager –  Luciano, Sizzla, Cocoa Tea, Ras Shiloh, and Everton Blender, to name a few.   On December 3, 2011, Philip “Fatis” Burrell passed away from complications of a mild stroke he suffered two weeks earlier.  He was 57.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus for the assist.



Died On This Date (August 16, 2011) Joel Chin / A&R Exec For VP Records; Murdered In Jamaica

Joel Chin
DOB Unknown – August 16, 2011

Joel Chin was the Director of A&R for the family run reggae dynasty known as VP Records.  Founded in New York City in 1979 by Chin’s Jamaican-born grandparents, Patricia and Vincent Chin, VP has grown into the world’s largest independent reggae label. Its name has become synonymous with contemporary roots reggae, dancehall and soca.  During the mid ’90s, Chin joined the family business – his father is legendary reggae producer, Clive Chin who has worked with Black Uhuru and Augustus Pablo, to name a few.  The younger Chin quickly became instrumental to the careers of Beenie Man, Beres Hammond, Sizzla, and Sean Paul whose Dutty Rock album has sold in excess of 7 million copies.  Chin is also credited with creating the wildly successful reggae compilation series, Reggae Gold and Simply The Best, the genre’s answers to the NOW That’s What I Call Music pop collections.  In 2009, Chin moved to Jamaica to work more directly with the label’s artists.  During the late night hours of August 16, 2011, 35-year-old Joel Chin was stepping out of his car in front his Kingston home when he was fatally shot in the head in what initially appeared to have been an ambush.  The assailant or assailants quickly vanished into the night and authorities were not immediately aware of any motive for the killing.