Born Manley Augustus Buchanan, 19th April 1949, Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies. A stylistic and artistic innovator of the highest order, Big Youth started adult life, following a youth of extreme poverty but found solace in his Rastafarian faith and music. In 1968 the young man started to hear the voice of the Rasta man, spending time in the Back A Wall Community. He began to wear his hair in dreadlocks; he became interested in his own history as a black man. Starting as a cab driver, he subsequently found employment as a mechanic working in the Skyline and Sheraton hotels in Kingston. He practised while at work, listening to his voice echo around the empty rooms. Like most deejay's Youth would sometimes be allowed to take the microphone at dances and thereby gain some experience. His popularity grew steadily until Big Youth became the resident DJ for the Lord Tippertone sound system (one of the top Kingston sounds in the early 70s), where he clashed regularly with other top DJ's and gradually built a reputation. It was not long before he was approached by record producers. Big Youth elevated the role of the deejay to that of an artist in their own right, and the art of deejaying to Internationally recognisable and recognisied art form. Deejay's like Big Youth help shape the foundation for rap music today in America as an artform, starting some 30 years ago. Even the popular singjay style in Jamaica was originated by Big Youth. He also the first deejay to start singing and developed a chanting style derived and heavily influnced by the Psalms. Not the first to toast (chating over a rhythm) on record but the most original. As he rode the rhythm he added observations on life in the ghetto, evangelised for his Rastafarian Faith, added children's rhymes, cinema referenced, mento couplets, pop songs, biblical references and lines inspired by 'The Last Poets: Everything and anything went into the mix to create something quite startlingly original. The first reggae star to openly sport dreadlocks on stage and album covers. After this there was to be no looking back as the Youth carved out a career in Reggae music that that very few could ever come close to. Check his cameo in the reggae film Rockers for evidence of his positive influence and disarming smile. His front teeth are embedded with red, gold, and green jewels. His first major hit "S-90 Skank" stayed at number 1 in Jamaica for many weeks. Celebrating the West Kingston cult of the motorbike (the S90 was a Japanese Honda), it opened with the sounds of an actual bike being revved up in the studio, and continued with Youth proclaiming, "Cos man if you ride like lightning then you'll crash like thunder'. For the next few years he did indeed ride like lightning and Bob Marley was the only artist to approach his popularity. Perhhaps more importantly he was really the first artist to express 'roots' philosophy so coherently, and thus persuasively both in his music and in his life. He was the first to come up with the pharse 'Natty Dread Inna Babylon' which was picked up by so many subsequently- even Bob Marley : Representing the authentic sound of the ghetto, Big Youth has set new standards for deejays to say something constructive and to try to educate his listeners. His music gave penetrating insights into the ghettos of Kingston and of the influence of Rastafarianism on the youths of Jamaica. He formed his Negusa Nagast (Amharic for King of Kings) and Augustus Buchanan labels in 1973 for greater artistic and financial control of his career. The consummate cultural toaster, Big Youth ruled the dancehalls across the '70s, and although his career. The next decade Big Youth has gone on hiadious, but has returned with a vengeance in the '90s. He continues to have an impact on both his own nation and beyond. In the Millenium the legend is back stronger than ever, with SMASHING remix hit's like "Every Nigger Is A Star" and "10 Genz 1". See the new video Every Nigga Is A Star raw version at Damestar.com : "Big Youth is here fi the youths as I would say" Big Youth.... GLORY TO JAH THE HIGHEST!!!
Big Youth's Myspace Music Page | Arkadaşlar (En İyi 5)
Big Youth's Myspace Music Page, 6078 kişiyle arkadaş.
We are now booking opening acts and features for independant and major artist. Dont be left out If you are looking for exposure and an opportunity to perform on stage with the hottest names in the game send us a message and we will be sure to get you booked
Hey Now... I may have hit you up about this already... but just tryna remind you that MY RNB Mixtape "Mirror Mirror Vol.1" Is now available for download. If by chance you didn't know....NOW YA KNOW!! lol
Here's the link....
http://www.zshare.net/download/62300993248c75b0/
I'd love to know what you think about it! Come by and let me know!
Greetings ayah, new stuff out now! Get nu shirtz & hoodies fi dem cold days dem on www.jah-army.com. for more infos plz subscribe to I&I blog: http://lnk.ms/0NXCt or become a fan on facebook at http://lnk.ms/1w2wl 1love J.A.H.
31.10.2009 From 21.00 to 06.00 @ BOLGIA "Flash In Punk Live Show Vol.5 : Hallowen Destruction!" with CYBERPUNKERS + HOUSE MEISTER + Belzebass + Pelussje + guests Don't miss it !!
BLESSED LOVE GIVE THANKS FOR KEEPING THE POSITIVE LOVE COMING I AND I WAY
The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion
When our eyes see our hands doing the work of our hearts, a circle of creation is completed inside us. The doors of our soul open and love steps forth to heal everything in sight.
JAMIE IRIE is working with top reggea band HOUSE OF RIDDIM at the very moment on a L.P called KINGSTON 13 and will have some new releases this year and a tour to follow.look out for him. www.myspace.com/houseofriddim .
WORDS CAN BE SO SIMPLE .A video shoot at various locations UK. and J.A by Chris Ilston of CRIZ.E produtions .......
NEW TUNES OUT SOON!
( WORDS CAN BE SO SIMPLE) backed by the HOUSE OF RIDDIM with a solid bass and wicked horn section and drums to rock with. A tune for the reggea music fan at its very best . This tune will make you get up and go and move you forword to a positive state of mind. www.myspace.com/houseofriddim Jamie, here's my HONEST opinion & comments.... "Words can be so simple...Actions..." YES, but MUSIC also speaks louder than words....& thats EXACTLY what this tune does. From the intro chants of "LION....LION!", you get the feeling of positivity & strength from the word GO! The bubbling riddim track is met with uplifting vocal vibes from Mr Irie. A tune aimed at those who talk 'round di ting' & don't seem to put talk into motion, this song hits the spot. A vibesy tune to fill the air with as much punch as ALBOROSIE's herb tune, this tune should be big across Europe & Japan, never mind the UK. BIG TUNE from Jamie Irie. PLAY IT LOUDLY!! :) :) Blessed. Mikey D.O.N. (Krispy(3)/www.unityradio.fm)
NEW TUNE OUT SOON (SWEET SESIMILLA) The Reload 2010 JAMIE IRIE,s back on form again with a brand new riddim section from the great HOUSE OF RIDDIM .THE HOT RIDDIM. LT.Stitchie Ward 21 Bunny general Dr. ring ding Kirk davis a.k.a. Little kirk ON this jump jump party time HOPPERS RIDDIM
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