Members of The Slits have paid tribute to Ari Up after the singer lost her fight against cancer.
Ari Up was a true individual. Moving around Europe, the teenager settled in London just as punk was exploding. Falling in love with the scene, the singer brought with her a huge collection of Jamaican reggae.
The Slits blended both, while adding a mischievous sense of humour. Releasing the seminal 1979 album ‘Cut’ the group would later become enchanted by African music for their cult follow up.
Reforming in 2004, The Slits remained a vital touring act. Ari Up had spent two decades in Jamaica, absorbing Caribbean culture first hand and working with some of her favourite dancehall producers.
Sadly, news broke last week that Ari Up had passed away. The singer had been suffering from a serious illness, and it seems that she kept this a secret from all but a few close friends.
Speaking to the NME, bass player Tessa Pollitt explained that The Slits only became aware of the extent of the cancer after she died. “Ari didn’t want me or the rest of the group to tell anyone that she was ill,” she explained.
“We didn’t realise how ill she was. Out of respect for the family I don’t really want to talk about it. It was cancer, that’s all I’ll say.”
Continuing, Tessa Pollitt paid tribute to her bandmate. “Such a compassionate person, the original wild child if you will. And a musical genius not really given the recognition in her lifetime”.
ClashMusic interviewed Ari Up last year, with her thoughtful responses revealing a truly unique artist. Read the entire Q&A HERE.
