NTS aired an episode dedicated to the music of Sly Dunbar on 19 February 2026. Sly Dunbar has been played over 80 times on NTS, first on 21 November 2013. Sly Dunbar's music has been featured on 80 episodes.

Sly Dunbar (born Lowell Fillmore Dunbar in Kingston, Jamaica, on 10 May 1952; died 26 January 2026) was a Jamaican drummer remembered as one half of the prolific Jamaican rhythm section and reggae production duo Sly & Robbie. He was a 13-time Grammy nominee. He received two Grammy awards; the 1985 Grammy for Best Reggae Recording for the Black Uhuru album Anthem for which Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare were producers, and one for the 1999 Best Reggae Album Grammy award for the Sly & Robbie album entitled Friends. He was awarded the Order of Distinction by the Jamaican government in 2015.

Working together with bassist Robbie Shakespeare, Sly & Robbie are considered one of the world's premier rhythm sections for their work in, and out, of reggae. They are considered originators of the “Rockers” rhythm. Dunbar & Shakespeare formed their Taxi label in 1980. It has seen releases from many international successful artists, including Black Uhuru, Chaka Demus & Pliers, Ini Kamoze, Beenie Man and Red Dragon.

Dunbar played for The Aggrovators for Bunny Lee; The Upsetters for Lee Perry, The Revolutionaries for Joseph Hoo Kim… Recorded for Barry O'Hare in the 1990s.

As a member of Word, Sound & Power he backed Peter Tosh on the album Mystic Man.

Sly & Robbie also played on Bob Dylan's albums Infidels and Empire Burlesque (using recordings from Infidels sessions).

Dunbar continued touring until Shakespeare’s death in 2021, and remained active in the studio until shortly before his death.