Robbie Shakespeare, the influential bassist for Sly and Robbie, has died aged 68

Influential Jamaican reggae singer Robbie Shakespeare - half of the duo Sly and Robbie - has died at the age of 68. He died in Florida, where he was recently hospitalized for kidney surgery, reports Jamaica Gleaner.

The fruit bass player and music producer are credited with reggae and dancehall music revolutions. Jamaica's Minister of Culture Olivia Grange announced his death and said Shakespeare was one of the country's most excellent musicians.

"[Sly and Robbie] took bass and drumming to the highest levels by creating music for themselves as a band and many other local and international artists," it said in a statement. Bass is everything in reggae music, and Robbie Shakespeare plays his bass guitar like no other; he let the rhythm down, the speakers vibrated, and we rocked. His death was a tragic loss, his immeasurable contribution to the genre. RIP Robbie Shakespeare. pic.twitter.com/3JMMtbUrm1

During his nearly 50-year career, Shakespeare worked with artists such as Madonna, Bob Dylan, No Doubt, Peter Tosh, the Rolling Stones, and Grace Jones. Born in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1953, he studied bass with Aston Barrett's The Wailers after meeting in Shakespeare's backyard.

After establishing himself as a talented musician, he partnered with Sly Dunbar in the mid-1970s. They had different brand names but chose Sly and Robbie and became one of the most influential rhythms and production duos in reggae history.

Shakespeare helped create the unique voice in Murder She Wrote, and Bam Bam - two songs considered legendary and influential in reggae and dancehall. They also produced music for film soundtracks, including Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Poetic Justice.

Shakespeare was nominated for 13 Grammy Awards and won two - in 1984 for Best Reggae Record for Anthem and 1998 for Best Reggae Album for Friends.