Soca artiste Ricardo Drue dies, shocking the nation; Shugy remembers him as a patriot who wanted best for this country

The Nation and the region were shocked, stunned, and grieved
today, December 12, to learn that popular soca artiste Ricardo Drue,
38, had died.

In a “breaking news” broadcast, several media houses reported that
Drue – a co-winner in the 2023 Road March Competition – had been
found unresponsive in his room and pronounced dead, at midday, at
the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre.

The official cause of death was not known at the time. But members
of the public are speculating that he suffered a heart attack, since,
reportedly, he had performed at a fete this past weekend and
appeared to be in good health.

MP Kelvin “Shugy” Simon tells REAL News he was hit hard by the
news, since Drue was a personal friend and a patriot who wanted
the best for Antigua and Barbuda.

Meanwhile, many residents, of all ages, say they are mourning the
loss of the gifted artiste – of Antiguan and Trinidadian descent –
since the death of someone so young is always a sobering moment.
Drue, known for the carnival staple “Druesday,” was usually a
favourite on the Soca Monarch stage and well known for his hit song
“Vagabond.”

He and Trinidad & Tobago soca queen Patrice Roberts became
engaged last year. He was the father of five children, some media
reports claim.