Energy God :: THE BEST OF ELEPHANT MAN

"If you saw me today you are never gonna forget me…my hair, my clothes, my style…I’m crazy man, I’m the Energy God…Father of the Dancehall…" Elephant Man

A true entertainer is versatile and makes music for the world,” says Elephant Man in his scruffy Jamaican baritone. His boisterous demeanor, quick chatting lyricism and unforgettable stage presence have all helped transform this Seaview Gardens local deejay into an internationally recognized reggae phenomenon. Elephant Man’s music has brought a new innovative flavor to the dancehall. His free-spirited vibration leaves you eager to do nothing less than let loose and party, making it blatantly evident that Ele’s mission...(Read more)

Energy God: The Best of Elephant Man: VP Records

Mavado :: SO SPECIAL

David Constantine Brooks December 25, 1981, better known by his stage name Mavado, aka Gully God, is a Jamaican dancehall artist. He was raised in an area known as "Cuba", a micro ghetto within the heart of Kingston, Jamaica's Cassava Piece community. The community was considered dangerous and Mavado was exposed to many different things in his youth. Mavado had two major influences in his life that made him want to pursue a career in music. His grandmother who raised him, brought him to church with her each Sunday, and this helped to ignite his love for music. What kept the flame burning was his second influence in his music; his idol, and current labelmate Bounty Killer.

Get: So Special + Unfinished Business, at VP Records

Busy Signal :: LOADED

Check out Busy Signal in the latest issue of Vibe Magazine online "Clashing and competition are an essential part of dancehall culture, but rather than letting drama and rivalry steal the show, Busy Signal has gotten back to basics. The rising Jamaican star’s second official album Loaded (VP) is easily one of the year’s hottest, showcasing..." -Rob Kenner, Vibe Magazine 11/10/2008

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Beres Hammond :: A MOMENT IN TIME

Born the ninth of ten children; Hammond grew up listening to his father's collection of American soul and jazz music; including Sam Cooke and Otis Redding. He was further influenced by the native musics of ska and rocksteady, in particular Alton Ellis.

Hammond began participating in local talent contests from 1972 to 1973, which led to his first recording, of Ellis' "Wanderer". In 1975 he joined the band, Zap Pow, as lead singer, leading to the hit 1978 single, "The System" under the Aquarius Records label.

Get the album at VP Records

Glen Washington :: DESTINY

Known for smooth lyrics and solid baritone delivery, Glen has thrilled listeners with hits like "Get Close To You," "Kindness For Weakness," and others. A solid stage performer, Glen has built a following in the core reggae community through constant touring in the Caribbean and South Eastern United States.

Hailing from the Jamaican parish of Clarendon, Glen was a drummer before singing his breakthrough hit, Rockers Nuh Crackers, for producer Joe Gibbs back in 1976. After leaving for Canada, he toured with artists like Shinehead before making his comeback as a solo act during the mid-nineties.

Get: Glen Washington :: DESTINY, at VP Records

Gyptian :: I CAN FEEL YOUR PAIN

Born to a Seventh-day Adventist mother and Rastafarian father, Gyptian received his musical calling at the age of seven, when he began singing in the church. Recognizing his talent, his parents introduced him to Mr. Wong, a record producer from Portmore, St. Catherine. "I did not take it seriously," said Gyptian "My family members have always been carrying me to Portmore to see him, but I usually disappear. One day, they dropped me off at his studio and left me and it all began there."

Get the album at VP Records

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Vybz Kartel

Vybz Kartel was born at Kingston's Victoria Jubilee Hospital. Originally from Waterhouse, Kingston, he was raised in the Waterford community of Portmore, St.Catherine. Adidja attended Calabar High School in Kingston but was expelled as a teenager. Determined to continue his education, he completed his studies at a tutorial technical school. Adidja was exposed to a wide variety of music from a tender age, his favorite artists being Papa San, Charlie Chaplin, Will Smith and KRS-1, all of whose lyrics he would write down and study word-for-word, performing them later for the entertainment of friends. Deciding he wanted to be a deejay, he began writing his own lyrics at the age of 11.

Career

Early career

Adidja and his friends Arif, Boyie, Saif, and Shazad frequently visit the weekly Gong Talent Show at the now defunct Coney Amusement Park on the outskirts of Kingston, but due to their weekly failure at impressing the audience. Adidja decided to hone his skills and concentrate on winning over his own community until he was ready for bigger things. With that goal in mind, on weekends he would practice his art on neighborhood sound systems Soul Signal and Electric Force. In 1993, the young Adidja, now in his mid teens, recorded his first single Love Fat Woman for Alvin Reid's One Heart Label under the name Adi Banton, a name he chose in tribute to Buju Banton, another of his role models.

Career route

Vybz Kartel's new role as Killer's protege a spot once held by prodigal prodigy Baby Cham) caught the attention of the public and led to a career rise, first as a writer for Bounty, Elephant Man and other members of the Scare Dem Crew, followed by collaborations with Bounty Killer such as Gal Clown and Girls Like Mine (Liquid Riddim), then finally coming into his own with early hits such as Gun Clown, Guns Like Mine (Trafalga Riddim), Badman (Panty Raid Riddim), Bus Mi Gun Like Nuttn, Most High (Mexican Riddim) and War Organizer (Clappas Riddim). He also had a string of successful collaborations with Wayne Marshall, such as New Millennium (Mad Antz Riddim), Why (Krazy Riddim) and Why Again (Good To Go Riddim). This led to Vybz Kartel being crowned Deejay of the Year at Stone Love's 30th Anniversary, 2002.

Kartel formed his own group of artists called the "Portmore Empire".

Name change

In late 2006, Vybz Kartel changed his professional name to "Addi the Teacha" in an attempt to free himself of his recording contract.

Accomplishments

In terms of singles sold, he has had the second-best year on the reggae charts for 2003 (outsold only by Elephant Man) and has released two albums this year for UK label Greensleeves. He was also featured twice on the Def Jamaica project, and nominated for Source, VIBE and UK MOBO awards (although his MOBO nominations, along with those of Beenie Man, Elephant Man and Sizzla were withdrawn over concerns of homophobia). His video for New Millennium/Why with Wayne Marshall has already been played on MTV, and a bootleg version of, in his own words, "a very, very low budget film" that was made in 2001 has begun circulating.

Feud with Mavado

A public feud between Kartel and former collaborator Mavado arose towards the end of 2006, stemming from Vybz's departure from the dancehall conglomerate group, The Alliance. The feud resulted in numerous tracks in which each artist criticising the other and their associates. Some of these tracks include: