| Band Members | Edi Fitzroy's Biography
Edi Fitzroy was born Fitzroy Edwards on November 17, 1955 in Chapelton, Clarendon; the son of a sound system operator Vasco Edwards and Kathleen Robinson. After leaving primary school he went to live with his mother in Whitfield Town, Kingston and he attended the West Indies Commercial Institute and studied Accounts.
1978
Exposed to music and in particular local music from an early age; an association with Pam Hickling and Michael Dread At The Control Campbell led Edi to do his first set of recordings Miss Molly Colly and Country Man, both written by Hickling. Songs like African Religion, The Gun and Sylee followed. As a result of this exposure Edi traveled to London with Mikey Dread where he did opening acts for the The Clash, a British Rock Group.
A split with Mikey Dread followed shortly after their return to Jamaica, and after a cooling out break, Edi began recording with the Musical Ambassador Trevor Elliott, then of The Agency For Public Information (now The Jamaica Information Service). This marked the renewal of a long-standing relationship with Elliott and Graphic Artist/Songwriter Pablo Aiken, then also of API.
1981
Edis first album Check For You Once, produced Trevor Elliott, was number one on the Jamaican Hit Parade (Albums) Chart for a period of four weeks. The album did well in England as an import and was rated the best album coming out of Jamaica at the time.
The album included such hits as Check For You Once, a number one single, Youthman Penitentiary, African Queen, Work On Mr. Farmer, First Class Citizen, People Dem A Suffer among others. Alligator Records, a Chicago based label also released the album in the U.S. and Canada under the title Youthman Penitentiary.
1982
Edi received the Press Association Of Jamaica Award in recognition of his contribution to the development of Jamaican music.
1984
Edi received the Rockers Award for the Most Conscious Performer, after crowing the year with a tribute to women, titled, Princess Black.
What must be regarded as the most significant achievement of Edis musical career was the launching of his second album Coming Up Strong, a title which seems to emphasize the stage of his career at the time. The Musical Ambassador started this album in 1982 before he left to reside in the U.S.
Some of the featured cuts on the album were Jah Son, Sow Your Corn, Easy Ride, Love The People Want, and Princess Black; done in typical Edi Fitzroy style. I must also mention the tracks Father which displays a superb vocal performance, and Chant It which is quite mystical and enchanting.
The displays of unity that brought about the completion of this Album would make an interesting chapter in Edis life story. Special mention must be made of Newton Sipho Merrit, who came in at a crucial part of the journey. Merrit had faith in the direction that Edi was headed, and eased the burden by taking some of the load, so that, in oneness the spirit of love prevailed in the long hard journey across the border.
1985
Edi visited England as a Reggae Ambassador, bringing Reggae for the first time within the walls of the Royal Festival Hall; home of European Classical Music situated on the south bank of the River Themes. He later played his part during the tour of England dubbed by the music press as The Magical Mystery Tour.
Edi closed the year by winning the Rockers Video Award for Princess Black.
1986/87
This period saw the release of 45s Death Trap, Easy Ride, Shame and Level Yu Vibes.
1988
Edis third Album, Eclipse was released in Europe, the U.S., and Jamaica. If an Eclipse means the passing of one time period and the birth of a new one, then this Album was aptly named. Dance Hall Feel, Shout It Out, Lonely Woman, Hotel California, and What A Trick are among the ten tracks on the album. What A Trick was the first single released from the album and it spent 23 weeks on the Jamaican Hit Parade.
Delroy Thompson and Carl Jacko Thelwell produced Eclipse. Later that year, Edis third album Pollution produced by Owen Brown for his Bromac label was released.
1988/90
In 1988, 1989, 1990, Edi received the Award for The Most Culturally Orientated Artist in the 7th, 8th, and 9th Annual International Music Awards held in Miami, Chicago and Jamaica respectively
1993
Edis fourth Album, Deep In A Mi Culture on the Henry K label was released at the Bob Marley Museum, in Kingston, Jamaica.
Edi has made his impact on the music industry with his message songs of consciousness and Deep In A Mi Culture did not betray this formula that has propelled him all these years. There are ten tracks on this Album witch includes, Deep In A Mi Culture, Love The People Want, Bounty Hunter, Revolution, and Hunting
Singles released from this Album prior to its release were, Deep In A Mi Culture, and Love The People Want, together with a DJ style 45 Bounty Hunter (with Papa San). Other singles released in 1993 were Dont Worry and Mind Must Be Free, (with Jack Radics).
1994/95
Edi toured the U.S. with the ..1 Reggae backing band, Massawa. They performed at the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival, Reggae On The Beach, and Reggae On The River. He also toured the Pacific Northwest.
Singles released during this period on the Confidence Label (Edis own Label) were Prison Life, Border Line, and Jamaican Girl.
In the summer of 1995, Edi did an extensive tour of the U.S. East and West Coasts.
1996/97
The single Guiltiness by Edi and Cutty Ranks on the Digital B Label, was released in 1996
Singles released from Edis fifth Album, I Cry released in the summer of 1996, were Oh Jah,
I Cry, and Africa Is Calling, (with Frankie Paul) which made it to ..2 on the Top 40 Chart (RJR radio) during March of 1997.
The following singles were released, Mr. Bossman, and Live Upright on the Jack Scorpio Label. I Love You My Dear, Trickster, Not Giving Up, So Tough Luck, Johnny, and a remix of Princess Black (with Sizzla) all on Bobby Digitals Brick Wall Label.
During this period Edi worked on projects with K.C Whyte and the Californian band, Massawa.
1998
Edi toured North America extensively with the Massawa and Overstand Bands. He performed in San Diego, Seattle, and other West Coast cities, and Philadelphia.
Edi released a single; Dreadlocks Cant Live In a Tenement Yard, A remake of the 1970 song by the legendary Jacob Killer Miller. This was produced Goldfinger.
Singles released that year were, Bury The Guns and I Love, on the African Museum Label. An Album titled Togetherness by Gregory The Cool Ruler Isaacs and Edi is in the works.
The veteran Roots and Culture singer has added another dimension to his artistic prowess. He is the host and creator of the radio show Cultural Explosion aired on Roots FM 96.1 Kingston, Jamaica, every Wednesday from 12:00noon to 3:00 PM.
2000
Edi visited Gambia, West Africa during June 23 to 30. He attended and perfomed at the Roots Homecoming Festival.
Edis Sixth Album released to date We A Lion, produced by Whitfield Witty Henry and launched on November 29th, at The Tropics Night Club in New Kingston, Jamaica. The Album opens with a spiritual chant Mount Zion giving praises to the Almighty. We A Lion displays a conscious, explosive and energetic Edi Fitzroy. This CD really rocks.
2001
Edis latest CD is titled First Class Citizen. It is a compilation of most of his early with the Musical Ambassador, Trevor Elliott. The material was digitally remixed at the following studios, Digital B, and Black Scorpio, in Kingston, Jamaica and Mirror Image in Gainesville, Florida.
The CD revives such favorites as, Check For You Once, Youthman Penitentiary, First Class Citizen, African Queen, Work On Mr. Farmer and the peoples favorite, The Gun.
Reggae fans will hear a young Edi Fitzroy vocally on top of his game and equally matched by Roots Radics at their musical best.
2004
Edi is one of the featured artist on the Put My Faith In Jah CD. This project is a tribute to Peter Tosh and will benefit the Tosh Foundations effort to provide musical instruments to the youths in Jamaica. Revolution is the title of Edis contribution.
2005
Mr. Fitzroy did his first tour of Hawaii performing in Honolulu along side his selector/manager Los Angeles areas DJ JFX. Edi is promoting his incredible new album titled Hold the Vibes produced by Mr. Joe Bressler scheduled for release August 2006.
For more info check: www.MySpace.Com/EdiFitzroy
Or email: DJJFX@AOL.COM
 ..
"EDI FITZROY"
"WE A LION" Album available at www.EBREGGAE.COM
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the CLASSIC "Edi Fitzroy album: "DEEP IN MI CULTURE" 
The long awaited brand new album by reggaes living legend mr. EDI FITZROY titled HOLD THE VIBES
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2008 L.A. RUMBLE SOUNDCLASH
DJ JFX vs JAH WARRIOR SHELTER vs BLACK GOLD
