Social media was recently abuzz with rumors of the demise of William Anthony Maragh, more famously known as the Jamaican deejay Super Cat, know if he’s dead or alive
As it turns out, these rumors were completely unfounded. Here’s the full story behind the trending Supercat death hoax.
Is Super Cat dead or alive as death rumors go viral on Twitter on Reddit
Wikipedia is saying #Supercat died today . Also getting inboxed with clips. Nothing confirmed on the news yet.
If true. Big loss. A true legend. pic.twitter.com/wZ9HWP5U4t— ROUTz Jamaica (@ROUTzJamaica) July 12, 2023
An account by the name of @ROUTzJamaica stirred the controversy on Twitter on July 12, 2023, by sharing a screenshot of Supercat’s Wikipedia bio that falsely stated his death on the same date. The tweet went viral, creating a wave of uncertainty and sadness among the fans of the 60-year-old dancehall legend. Moreover, a TikTok video shared in the tweet further exacerbated the situation by alleging that the deejay had just passed away.
Despite the lack of confirmation, @ROUTzJamaica expressed potential grief over the loss of a “true legend,” referencing Supercat’s considerable contributions to the dancehall movement from the late 1980s to the early 1990s.
Debunking the Supercat death hoax
Not long after the first tweet, @ROUTzJamaica sent out a new message denying that the person had died. Supercat’s updated Wikipedia page displayed a new screenshot, which removed the incorrect date of death. Then someone said something that made it sound like the first news was not true.
Further confirmation came from Supercat’s road manager, Jimmy Thomas, who strongly dismissed the rumors about the deejay’s death. In a chat with THE STAR, he stated, “Cat is not dead. I get hundreds of calls from morning…Cat is alive and well.”
Supercat’s legacy in Dancehall
Nicknamed the “Wild Apache” and known as dancehall’s Don Dadda, Supercat has a storied career in Jamaican dancehall history. With notable dancehall hits like Nuff Man A Dead, Dolly My Baby, Ghetto Red Hot, and Boops, Supercat was among the first deejays of Jamaican descent to make a significant impact in the U.S. market.
He also pioneers the reggae fusion genre, which merges dancehall with R&B and Hip Hop. Over the years, Supercat has worked with notable artists, including Heavy D, Method Man from Wu-Tang Clan, Puff Daddy, Mary J. Bilge, Cypress Hill’s DJ Muggs, and Kris Kross.
Setting the record straight
In the face of circulating rumors, it’s essential to verify information from reliable sources. As confirmed by those close to him, Supercat remains alive and well, continuing to make his mark on the music industry. As for the rumors, they serve as a reminder of the responsibility social media users have in ensuring the accuracy of the information they share.
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