Friends remember Markland Campbell as 'giant' of local hip-hop scene

Friends of Markland Campbell are remembering the Ottawa hip-hop artistas an anti-violence advocate who was a "giant" in both heart and soul.

Campbell, 42, died after being shot around 9:30 p.m. Fridayin the ByWard Market. An 18-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder in his death.

• Teen arrested after hip-hop artist shot to death in ByWard Market
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Campbell went by the stage name Jahiant (pronounced "giant") Jahh as part of the hip-hop trio Half Size Giants.

It was a name thatwas more of a testament to his presence than his roughly five-foot-three stature, said Darcy Petersen, who knew Campbell for nearly 20 years.

Petersen said his friend was a loving father who adored his six children and also a personal mentor.

"He's a tiny little guy but he always walked like a giant. He was always doing big things and he had a very big voice and he was just, like, loud," said Petersen, who would DJ with Half Size Giants.

"A big giant behind a little body."

Hip-hop artist killed Friday was to appear on new single

5 years ago

Duration 0:22

This excerpt from a forthcoming single by Ottawa hip-hop trio Half Size Giants features Markland Campbell, aka Jahiant Jahh, performing with R&B artist Danny Fernandes. Campbell, 42, was shot and killed Friday.

'All about love and peace'

Campbell moved to Canada from Jamaica when he was a child, and although he would go back to visit and also spent time in Toronto, he would always return to Ottawa.

He often showcased both Ottawalandmarks like Parliament Hill and Sparks Street as well aslesser known areas of the city in the trio'smusic videos.

When Campbell worked asa solo artist, some of his music featured reggae influences. He would alsodescribehimself as a reggae artist on social media.

Campbell had also spoken out about the 1994 drive-by killingof Nicholas Battersby, who was shot in the back on Elgin Street in a random attack, Petersen said.

In a statement,Half Size Giants recalled how Campbell then only 16 helped organize an anti-violence concert following Battersby's death with the rest of the group.

Petersen said hewasstill processing the sad irony of Campbell's death: thata man who campaigned publicly against gun violence could be caught up in the middle of it.

"He was all about love and peace," Petersen said.

Had new track coming out

On Sunday night, a few dozen of Campbell's friends, family members and fans gathered at the intersection of ByWard Market Square and York Street the spot where he collapsed Friday for a candlelight vigil.

Before his death,Campbell and Half Size Giants had worked with well-known names in the Canadian hip-hop scene, including Maestro Fresh Wesand Snow.

The trio had split up for some time, but reunited within the past two years and had been performingaround Ottawa. They were set to release a new track with Canadian R&B artist Danny Fernandes in the next couple of weeks.

Mike Landry, who handles social media for Half Size Giants, said he got to know Campbell a couple of years ago.

He described himas a jovial man who would light up a room.

"He was always in a good mood," Landry said. "He was one of the nicest people I've known."