THE music fraternity is mourning the loss of celebrated soca artiste Oscar “Oscar B” Benjamin, who died yesterday morning, hours before a benefit concert organised to support his medical recovery.

Oscar B, 57, of Signal Hill, Tobago, suffered a stroke in May. The Tobago Family and Friends Healing Concert, scheduled for the Shaw Park Cultural Complex last evening, had been organised to support his medical recovery.

The Division of Tourism, Antiquities and Creative Industries under the Tobago House of Assembly confirmed that the concert would proceed as planned but would now serve as a tribute to Benjamin’s life and contributions to Caribbean culture. Following the news of his death, tributes from the music fraternity, Government officials and the wider community flowed in.