DOUGLAS A. WHITTINGHAM peacefully departed our world at the age of 88, Sunday, August 25, 2024, at Harlem Hospital Center. Douglas, affectionately known as “Big Dug,” was born on, Saturday, January 25, 1936, in Kingston, Jamaica, Greenwich Park Rd (AKA) Trench Town to parents, Eva Douglas & Ruben Whittingham.

Douglas was known for his strength and infectious laughter. With a High School education, he had the skills to master the art of construction, fixing everything that was broken or needed to be repaired. Douglas was also gifted at singing, building guitars, and fine-tuning them. He was instrumental in the development of many musicians from Trench Town in their early beginnings, such as Bob Marley & The Wailers, Toots & The Maytals, Ewart Beckford (AKA) U-Roy, the Abyssinians, and many others.He would fine-tune their guitars and sing harmonies regularly during rehearsal.

In the 1970s, Douglas migrated to the United States as a migrant farm employee harvesting sugar cane in Florida. His construction skills took him to Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Manhattan, & Maryland. He was most gifted in bricklaying, tile, and hardwood floors installation. Douglas was an adventurous man with boundless energy. He was never seen without his bike, and his palpable laughter. He was passionate about helping those less fortunate than himself, often visiting the Harlem Temple food pantry to acquire food items, which he redistributed to his friends and neighbors. His generosity was countless, often giving more than he received without a hint of complaint. We will remember his heart for people, love for life, and being a charitable person.

Jason has worn many hats throughout his career. He has served as Elle Varner’s day-to-day manager, H.E.R.’s intermittent road manager, and the tour manager for Lucky Daye. In 2014, he ventured into solo management, working with and developing the career of Rotimi. By 2020, Jason fulfilled his childhood dream by partnering with MBK Ent. to co-manage rising stars Maeta and Tone Stith. He founded JDH Music & Company, expanding his roster with artists Elijah Blake and IX Wulf while also serving as an A&R consultant for MNRK Music Group.

Recently, Jason achieved significant career milestones with two Gold records for Tone Stith’s singles “FWM” and “Do I Ever” (feat. Chris Brown) and an #1 R&B Radio hit for Maeta's “Through the Night” (feat. The Free Nationals). He made so many proud with his hard work and unwavering dedication to the people and things he loved. A Great life and career for a poor kid from the Bronx who loved to laugh and dreamed Big, who grew past his circumstances to run his own company and tour the world for years!!

Jason was called home on August 30, 2024, at 3:14 PM ET. He is preceded in death by his mother, Ella Mae Hobdy, sister Jacqueline McKoy, and brother David Hobdy. His legacy will live on through his siblings, Tiffany Hobdy, Mark Hobdy, Kevin Hobdy, Jamel Hobdy, Kimberly Hobdy, Chaila McKoy, André McKoy, Shamaira Hobdy, Shaquana Smalls, Suequana Hill, and Khalida Smalls. Not to mention his best friends, James “Tippy” Stratford, Asha Johnson and Shalimar Davis, and God Son Niquan Terry, Chase Stratford & God Daughter Nyla Sistruck along with countless nieces, nephews, and cousins he loved dearly.

Jason’s light is remembered by loved ones as: "Making people feel seen, loved, and making them laugh was his superpower. He was the first on the dance floor and the last one at work. He taught us not to take things personally and to always keep pushing through."