The body of TearGas, one of the pioneers of dancehall music in the country was on Thursday laid to rest at his home village in Chiradzulu.

Teargas, real name Leonard Chongwe died on Tuesday after suffering a cardiac arrest.

One of the family members Noel Chithambo said: “The family regrets to announce the untimely death of our child, brother and father Leonard. He just collapsed and the hospital confirmed the death was caused by cardiac arrest. His death has left us devastated.”

Teargas became a household in the late 1990s and early 2000s with his Caribbean accent which impressed many enthusiasts.

He paved the way for the dancehall alongside artists like Anne Matumbi, San B and Dr Lizard when they formed a dancehall crew known as DAST which became a household name with popular songs such as Oneness.

Teargas is survived by five children.