Johnny Kemp, the Bahamian singer best known for his 1988 hit “Just Got Paid”, died in 2015 at the age of 55. His death was ruled as an accident by the Jamaican police, who said he drowned after falling from some rocks. Here is what we know about the tragic incident that claimed his life.
A Cruise Ship Passenger
According to Wikipedia, Kemp had been a passenger on a cruise ship that had docked in Montego Bay, Jamaica. He was supposed to perform on the ship as part of the Tom Joyner Foundation Fantastic Voyage cruise, a charity event hosted by the radio personality Tom Joyner. However, he never made it to the ship and was reported missing by his wife.
A Fatal Fall
Other cruise ship passengers had seen him earlier that day in the area. Based on an investigation, the St James Police believed he was walking on some rocks, lost his balance, fell, hit his head, and then drowned. His body was found floating face down at a beach in Montego Bay on Thursday morning, April 16, 2015. There were no signs of foul play or violence on his body.
A Natural Cause
The police ruled out any criminal involvement in Kemp’s death and attributed it to natural causes. They did not specify if he had any medical condition or if he was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of his fall. They also did not reveal if an autopsy was performed on his body.
A Legacy of Music
Kemp started his career as a songwriter and a session musician in the late 1970s. He moved from the Bahamas to New York in 1979 and worked with artists like Kashif, Change, and B.B. & Q. Band. He released his debut solo album in 1986 and scored a minor hit with “Just Another Lover”. His second album, Secrets of Flying, produced his biggest hit, “Just Got Paid”, which reached No. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart and No. 10 on the Hot 100 chart. The song was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song in 1989 and became a classic anthem for Friday nights and payday celebrations.
Kemp continued to record and perform throughout the 1990s and 2000s, collaborating with artists like Keith Sweat, Teddy Riley, and DJ Kool. He also appeared on several TV shows and movies, such as New York Undercover, The Meteor Man, and Sing. He was remembered by his fans and peers as a talented and charismatic singer who brought joy and energy to his music.
