Kaya (Mauritian musician)

KAYA
Background information
Birth nameJoseph Réginald Topize
Also known asKAYA
Born(1960-08-10)10 August 1960
OriginMauritian
Died21 February 1999(1999-02-21) (aged 38)
GenresSeggae
Instrument(s)Guitar, Vocals

Joseph Réginald Topize (10 August 1960 – 21 February 1999), popularly known by his stage name Kaya, was a Mauritian musician, and the creator of "seggae" - a fusion of Mauritian sega and reggae, two popular music genres in Mauritius. Kaya died while in police custody (purportedly beaten to death by the police), after being arrested for smoking marijuana during one of his concerts.