GIST: “I’m Still In Shock”, Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse on Ray Phiri’s Death

Sipho-Hotstix-Mabuse-Ray-Phiri — JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – DECEMBER 01: Music legends; Sipho Hotstix Mabuse and Ray Phiri during an interview on December 01, 2016 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Phiri and Mabuse have teamed up to put together a series of Ekurhuleni Comes Alive Jazz evenings. (Photo by Gallo Images / Daily Sun / Jabu Kumalo)

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – DECEMBER 01: Music legends; Sipho Hotstix Mabuse and Ray Phiri during an interview on December 01, 2016 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Gallo Images / Daily Sun / Jabu Kumalo)

Music legend Sipho Hotstix Mabuse has reacted to the death of jazz legend Ray Phiri. Hotstix says he is shocked and that even though Ray was ill, he didn’t expect him to die

“I’m still in shock and didn’t expect it even if he was not well. My heart is bleeding. I thought he would pull through and it’s a great loss, not only for the music industry, but for the entire country. Ray was loved by everyone,” he told Tshisalive

Speaking about his late friend and colleague he adds “I remember him beyond music. He was an intellectual and would engage about many things outside of music and he understood his role in society,”