PNP hails Lieutenant Stitchie as voice of faith, courage and reinvention

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The People’s National Party (PNP) has joined Jamaica and music lovers around the world in mourning Cleveland “Cleve” Laing, known to generations as Lieutenant Stitchie, who died in hospital yesterday, one day before his 61st birthday.

According to a release from the PNP, Opposition Spokesperson on Culture, Creative Industries and Information Nekeisha Burchell described Lieutenant Stitchie as one of Jamaica’s gifted and courageous voices.

“Jamaica has lost one of its most gifted and courageous voices,” Burchell said. “Lieutenant Stitchie helped shape dancehall in its formative years, carried our music to the world, and then showed us that a man can reinvent himself with grace and still hold the respect of all who knew him.”