Mr. Easy, DRIVE MI CRAZY video
Mr. Easy TIME AGAIN video
Mr. Easy HAFFI MEK IT video
Early Life
For many people four decades may seem like a lifetime but for “Little Tubbis”, as he was known back then, it was not so. For this enterprising young Jamaican this is a period, which he spent at the head of the class, promoting the music between yard and abroad.
While growing up in the Kingston 11 community, an area that generated some of the islands best known reggae practitioners, little Tubbis began taking the music seriously at a young age penning songs over nursery rhyme tunes during school recess and lunch breaks. In the 1960’s there were two kinds of dance hall music, one was known as Disco Tek, which was simply a record player/changer, some speakers and an operator. The other was known as a Sound System that consisted of more sophisticated equipment and larger speakers that were able to deliver a richer and more powerful sound. In those days trendsetters were a dime a dozen, and, if you were creative you had the respect of the entire community.
Cutting/Splicing/Remixing
In the early 60’s Little Tubbis soon became the talk of the town, being the first sound man to hook up the Christmas pepper-lights to the bass speakers so that they’d blink on and off to the beat of the heavy driving bass line. It started a trend in the dance halls across the country. His specialty when operating the turntables was his unique way of playing and mixing records of similar theme rhythm or beat. Due to fact that Tubbis was not able to afford a studio at that time, he also could not afford to support the quantity of dub plates that he needed, therefore, he would substitute by transferring vinyl to tape, cutting and splicing various artists allowing him to create a remix out of necessity. Some of the artist that was remixed were: Slim Smith, Pat Kelly, Delroy Wilson, The Melodeons, The Techniques, Unique, The Sensations and The Heptones, just to name a few. This custom later allowed King Tubbis to expand into a manufacturing division for vinyl, cd, record cases (cd/turntables/vinyl/amplifiers) and upholstering.
Sound System
By the mid 60’s Little Tubbis popularity was on the rise and after being the first person to play a set at the Kingston Parish church at parade, by the late 70’s after migrating to the US, it was time for the inevitable, his own sound system aptly named “King Tubbis Hi-Fi” (Hi-Fidelity). With the migration fever breaking out across the Caribbean in the late 60’s early 70’s, Tubbis wanted to expand his horizons so instantaneously he relocated to the south side of Chicago where he re-established his sound system and carried the name “King Tubbis Hi-Fi”, (Hi-Fidelity) until this day. He then opened a record store selling and promoting not only Jamaican music but music from around the world, and, with the assistance of promoters such as Tony Gary he started booking recognized artists in local clubs and venues. He has also hosted several sound systems from abroad that came to Chicago for the first time including Stone Love, Metromedia, Massive B, Afriqu & Downbeat, Papa Moke, Virgo, Travelers, and the Turbophonics. Tubbis was also the first person to sell reggae in the state of Illinois, as well as the first one to hold reggae concerts outdoor.
Promoter/Producer
King Tubbis promoted several shows hosting entertainers such as Bob Marley, Delroy Wilson, Sugar Minott, Buju Banton, Peter Metro, Brigadier Jerry, Niko-demus, Ranking Joe and Josey Wales, Frankie Paul, Niggah Mikey, Little Hero, and Burning Spear with Jack Ruby just to name a few. The only promoter to host an annual Jamaican Independence boat cruise that, end at 6:00 am. King Tubbis produced several albums with artists such as Luciano, Sizzla, Frankie Paul, Lukie Dee, Gregory Issacs, Niggah Mikey, Little Hero and Pinchers. King Tubbis is the sole owner of the “King Tubbis” recording label. As a federally licensed broadcaster Tubbis took the music to the airwaves hosting the Tubbis Connection radio show for a solid two year run. Now with over forty years in the business along with his renowned “Hi-Fidelity” sound system, recording studio and record label known as “King Tubbis Records” he still keeps the adrenaline going; participating in sound clashes, while still focusing on taking reggae to a higher level so that it will be a part of the mainstream like Hip Hop and R&B.
Tribute
King Tubbis is noted in The Weekly Star as one of the “10 influential Caribbean Americans. In the Weekly Gleaner he’s been dubbed “THE UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT sound system champion of the nation from the Midwest. Having received many accolades for his contributions to the reggae music industry, when asked of Tubbis what is success? His response is simple, “A love for what you do”, which gives you dedication, and hard work. King Tubbis is recognized as the reggae Midwest ambassador. From the very humble surroundings of the Cockburn Pen/Tower Hill community located in the volatile Kingston 11 area, to the sprawling beauty of metro Chicago, King Tubbis has built up a huge following between Miami (Florida), Kingston (Jamaica), New York (N.Y.), and, up to this day continues to earn respect for his outstanding musical creativity. He is still going strong in the new millennium adjusting with time but never forgetting the roots.
OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW...SHOVEL...CAUSE BRAND NEW COLD BrrrrrBLOODED BULLSHHHHUKAS IS SOON TO BE UPON US.....BELIEVE WISDOM THAT 1! A little Black girl (UNCLASSIFIED)
A stranger was seated next to a little black girl on the airplane when the stranger turned to her and said, "Let's talk. I've heard that flights go quicker if you strike up a conversation with your fellow passenger." The little girl, who had just opened her coloring book, closed it slowly and said to the stranger, "What would you like to talk about?" "Oh, I don't know," said the stranger. "Since you are a black, do you think that So-called President Elect Barak Obama is qualified for the job?" and he smiles. "OK", she said. 'That could be an interesting topic. But let me ask you a question first. A horse, a cow, and a deer all eat the same stuff -grass -. Yet a deer excretes little pellets, while a cow turns out a flat patty, and a horse produces clumps of dried grass. Why do you suppose that is?" The stranger, visibly surprised by the little girl's intelligence, thinks about it and says, "Hmmm, I have no idea." To which the little girl replies, "Do you really feel qualified to discuss President Barak Obama... when you don't know shit?"
