King Jammy: 7 Decades and Still Active
Reggae, Dancehall, Sound System, Soundclash, Dub Mixes, Preamps, effect units, echo chambers and flangers are some of the elements globally renown in modern day popular cultures and music technology. It’s no hidden fact the origins of these elements or the techniques of how they are used stemmed from the streets of Kingston Jamaica dating back to the 1940s.
There has been many great pioneers over the years that have made major contributions throughout the eras from Ska to Reggae to Dancehall. Throughout the history one name has repetitively been relevant from the 1960s to 2020 “Lloyd James AKA Prince Jammy AKA King Jammy” whether it be through his work, affiliation or influence.
Reggae, Dancehall and Sound System – 7 Decades
Decade | Jammys Influence |
1960’s | Sound System was a popular form of entertainment for the local people of Kingston with the likes of Sir Coxsone Downbeat and Duke Reid. Jammy set up the original King Jammy sound system making it the oldest sound system still playing in 2020. He also built pre-amps and sound system equipment for other local sound systems. |
1970’s | One of the dominant producers was King Tubby, Jammy launched his career as a producer and engineer working with King Tubby as his protoje, building pre-amps and engineering studio sessions. Many popular hits of the 70s give credit to Jammy (at that time Prince Jammy) as the engineer. It was during this period he worked closely with music icon and producer Bunny “Striker” Lee and became known for his dub mixes where he would innovatively use effects such as echo chambers and flangers and filters. |
1980’s | The sound of Reggae music evolved introducing the new digital sound and establishing “Dancehall” as its own style/ genre which at the time was the terminology used for where the music was played. Jammys is credited as the producer responsible for this development when he produced the Sleng-teng Riddim with musicians Noel Davey and Wayne Smith. This paved the way popular digital producer duo Steelie & Clevie. |
1990’s | Any Reggae sound system owner that played vinyl or music collectors during the 90’s would be familiar with the label Digital B owned by Bobby Digital. Bobby was one of the predominant producers throughout the 90s producing hits with Shabba Ranks, Garnett Silk and the late 90s Sizzla and Morgan Heritage. Bobby launched his career working as a protoje of King Jammy during the 80s as his studio engineer and selector on the King Jammy Super Power Sound System. |
2000’s | Dancehall was now a fully established genre in its own rights seeing many international hits on the mainstream. The sound evolved and new harsher style emerged. The popular songs that marked this era were riddims such as the Bada Bada and Bellyas with the timeless Capleton hit “Slew Dem”. Jammy is credited as the executive producer as these Riddims were produced by Ward 21 at King Jammys studio. Ward 21 were mentored by King Jammy being selectors on the King Jammy Super power Sound system leading to them becoming musicians and producers. During the later 00s we heard another change in the dancehall genre with a slower tempo, faster drums and classic hip hop style bells. The main riddim that marked this era was the “Mission Riddim” with riddim title track by Damian and Stephen Marley and the classic Movado track “I’m on the Rock” which attracted Hip Hop super star Jay Z on the remix. This riddim was produced by King Jammys son “Baby G” at the King Jammys studio. |
2010’s | With the globalisation of the internet we have seen influences of different cultures fusing together. Understanding the benefits of such developments history and heritage can also be distorted or lost so it is equally important to remember the roots. With Jammys being a pivotal part of the history and the present comes a great responsibility. During this decade Jammys has fulfilled this responsibility with the two albums to-date “King Jammy presents New Sounds of Freedom” & “King Jammy Presents: Dennis Brown Tracks Of Life” the albums are remixes of the 1977 Black Uhuru album “Love Crisis” and tracks from the 1985 Dennis Brown album “Slow Down”. The albums feature contemporary versions of the original tracks featuring contemporary artists such as Chronixx, Dre Island, Protoje, Jesse Royal plus many more. |
2020 | With covid-19 putting a holt on live events and the enforcement of social distancing has pushed most activities to be hosted online. July One International Reggae Day 2020 hosted a live broadcast with King Jammys Super Power at the King Jammys Studio. So even during the 2020 global pandemic King Jammys Sound was still playing. Seani B at BBC 1xtra also hosted an online review and debate for “The Greatest Dancehall Riddim Ever” in August of 2020. The panel consisted of Grammy winning producer and DJ Walshy Fire (Major Lazer), DJ and selector Tony Matterhorn, broadcaster Nikki Z, acclaimed artist Wayne Wonder, New York based DJ & Massive B Sound System owner Bobby Konders and the UK’s Grammy winning producer Jazzwad. The 7 panellists discussed 10 riddims dating back to 1970s looking a various factors from each individuals perspective and experience. First and second place riddims were both King Jammys #1 being Punanny and #2 being Sleng Teng. |
The work of Jammys shows where he has learned and been mentored by some of the greats in the Reggae music industry and in return he has offered the same opportunities to those who have came up after him, and he has demonstrated this by creating a platform when he had the opportunity that others can benefit and launch their careers from. The list of success stories is endless and the beauty of the journey is Jammys can still be found at his HQ in the middle of Kingston 11 Waterhouse community, stringing up the King Jammy super power and playing for the locals.
Great love, respect and honour is shown to King Jammy around the world but is his contribution really acknowledged at the level he deserves? With his long standing and consistent contribution and attributes he is an international treasure for Jamaica, Reggae Dancehall music, Sound System Culture, music technology and innovation, and also his loyal commitment to his community shows he is true humanitarian.
I first had the opportunity to connect with King Jammy in 2010 on the “Skanking In The Dancehall” remix project. He embraced my work and has since took me under his wing to be part of the Jammys family, consistently encouraging and supporting me in my music.
Salute to the King!!