Jamaican gospel reggae artist, Lieutenant Stitchie, also known as Cleveland Laing, is currently battling for his life after suffering a severe brain haemorrhage. The 58-year-old, who rose to fame in the 1980s as a dancehall star before transitioning to gospel reggae in the late 1990s, is unresponsive and under critical care.
“Lieutenant Stitchie has suffered a severe brain haemorrhage that has left him unresponsive. His wife, Sophia Laing, has launched a Gofundme page to raise US$100,000 that will enable the family to house the artiste in a long-term care facility.” Jamaica Local media was quoted.
Stitchie, renowned for hits such as “Wear Yuh Size” and his later gospel works, experienced a significant brain bleed, a medical emergency that can be life-threatening. His condition requires long-term rehabilitation care, and his family is now reaching out to fans and well-wishers for support through a GoFundMe campaign to cover his medical expenses. As of now, they have raised over USD $1,600 of their $100,000 goal(YARDHYPE)(Wikipedia).
Lieutenant Stitchie’s career took a transformative turn after a near-fatal car crash in 1997, which led him to embrace Christianity and shift from secular music to gospel reggae. He has since become a celebrated figure in gospel music, even receiving accolades such as the Marlin Award for Outstanding Male Reggae Vocal Performance and being inducted into the Gospel Hall of Fame(Wikipedia).
Fans and fellow musicians continue to send their prayers and financial support, hoping for his recovery. Stitchie remains an iconic figure not only for his contributions to reggae music but also for his journey of faith and resilience.
