Gospel and Dancehall artist Lt. Stitchie is reportedly hospitalized at a public medical facility in Kingston after suffering a debilitating stroke, a family member has confirmed.
“We have security protocols in place but we cannot tell you which facility because we don’t want to overwhelm those arrangements which are in place,” Stitchie’s nephew, Ali Archibald, told DancehallMag.
The artist, whose real name is Cleve Laing, remains unresponsive.
Archibald defended the role of Stitchie’s wife, Sophia Laing, in the artist’s rehabilitative care and confirmed the legitimacy of a GoFundMe campaign created four days ago to help with long-term medical expenses.
“His wife has been at his side, doing all that she can do to make sure that he is comfortable. So all these rumours about what has been said, at this point in time, we really don’t care about all. We’re hoping that he makes a full and complete recovery,” Archibald said.
The campaign has so far raised US$9,730 of its US$100,000 goal to defray the costs of Stitchie’s transfer, medical care, and living expenses in a long-term care home.
Archibald pointed to Stitchie’s recent off-kilter performances at public events, specifically an incident in Canada at a reggae show when he reportedly collapsed. Reports are that the Wear Yu Size singer first suffered a stroke after a Reggae Sumfest performance in 2023. Stitchie also reportedly suffered a series of strokes in May of this year.
“He has been battling his illnesses quietly and personally throughout this time and it is just unfortunate that he is in the position he is now,” Archibald said.
A former athlete and schoolteacher, Lieutenant Stitchie got his first major breakthrough in 1986 with the hilarious Wear Yuh Size, followed by Natty Dread, another rib-tickling hit.
He signed to Atlantic Records in 1988 and released three albums for that label.
In 1997, Lt Stitchie became a born-again Christian and has since recorded several inspirational albums and songs.
