Grammy Award-winning musician James Mtume dies aged 76

Photo by James Mtume via Getty Images

Grammy Award-winning musician and artist James Mtume has passed away. He was 76 years old.

Earlier today, reports began to emerge about the musician’s passing before being confirmed on social media by Lisa Lucas, daughter of Mtume’s late creative partner, Reggie Lucas.

“Too much loss. So sad. Leave the power to Uncle Mtume,” Lucas wrote.

“My late father was a criminal accomplice, co-creator of songs about my life (and about my birth!) He was an essential part of the life of the man who created it. out of me, therefore me too. Go, now. He will be cherished, remembered forever. ”

At the time of writing, Mtume’s cause of death is unknown.

James Mtume has had an extensive performing and writing career. He is best known for his 1983 R&B song “Juicy Fruit” by the group Mtume he founded.

In 1981 Mtume won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Song alongside Reggie Lucas for their song “Never Knew Love Like This Before”.

During his career, Mtume worked with legendary jazz musician Miles Davis and built his name as a songwriter with a talent for playing multiple instruments including keyboards, percussion, drums, guitar and bass.

Projects that Mtume has worked on include R. Kelly’s “Freak Tonight”, the 1996 soundtrack of the year. A thin line between love and hate, the album “Share My World” by Mary J. Blige’s and the theme music of the 90s police movie New York Undercover.