‘Get up, stand up – don’t give up the fight’

“Get up, stand up – stand up for your rights. Get up, stand up – don’t give up the fight,” so says Bob Marley, and that’s exactly what hip-hop rapper Rude Bwoy (Shiraz) was doing, at the Galle Face Green, on Tuesday, April 12th.

He was supporting, in song, the huge crowd present, protesting against the President, and the government, under the slogan ‘Go Home Gota.’

They say that Shiraz had completed this particular hit song, by Bob Marley, and, a few minutes, later collapsed.

He was rushed to hospital but died of a heart attack.

According to sources, Shiraz has experienced some heart problems, in the past, and this is said to be his third which, ultimately, claimed his life.

As a hip-hop rapper, Shiraz was classified as number one in Sri Lanka.

He even performed in India, in Chennai, at Ec41 for The Bling Thing – the biggest hip-hop concert in Chennai.

He had a style of his own and even did quite a few rap songs, in Sinhala, collaboration with some of his colleagues.

Shiraz took a break, from the local music scene, for quite a while, as he had certain commitments, in Australia.

They say he was even planning a special song, in collaboration with Noeline Honter, describing the project as ‘something new and exciting.’ Unfortunately, it’s all over now.

Hip-hop fans will certainly miss this unique rapper.