Merciless was a dancehall giant who soundtracked parties for more than two decades. Born Leonard Bartley in 1971, his career began with 1994’s “Len Out Mi Mercy,” a reggae single that injected him into Jamaica’s musical consciousness. From there, he continued building momentum while oscillating between reggae (“Mavis,” “Greedy Fi More”) and pulsing bits of dancehall (“Gal Dem Gizzada”). Pulling from adventurous sounds and his animated vocals, he would face off against rival DJs, all while continuing to build his catalog. Endlessly dynamic, Merciless continually reaffirmed his status as a preeminent vibe curator of his day—and a significant part of the region's musical history.