DJ Lock Steady Top Ten – September 2010
DJ Lock Steady aka Negus Tafari was born in Auckland, New Zealand into a Rastafarian family, with reggae music being a predominant factor in his life from birth. As a youth growing up in New Zealand,…
Foundation Sound UK
Can you introduce yourself and tell the people a bit about how Foundation Sound was formed and how it has developed? Greets. Foundation Sound is a roots reggae sound system and record label. My name…
Warrior Queen Top Ten – August 2010
Warrior Queen is a multi-talented vocalist and writer whose work spans over years and genres including reggae, dancehall, dubstep and grime. Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Warrior Queen's childhood years…
Reality Chant Productions – Kings Highway
After dropping three quality albums in quick succession, and following on from the success of their Country Living riddim, Reality Chant are set to take things to even higher heights with the release…
Curtis Lynch Top Ten – July 2010
Dubbed as the UK's answer to King Jammy, Curtis Lynch is the founder and key producer of the Necessary Mayhem label. Launched in April 2006 in London, the label began with a vision of being totally…
YT Top Ten – June 2010
The Suffolk town of Ipswich is not where you would expect to find the next big thing in UK reggae, but this is the reality of YT, the artist who David Rodigan refers to as 'an original and inspiring…
Henry Junjo Lawes – Reggae Anthology: Volcano Eruption
This is one of those compilations that pay tribute to a true hero of the Jamaican music business. Among just a few others, Henry 'Junjo' Lawes is almost solely responsible for the sound of early…
Interview with DJ Stryda
NiceUp talks to Bristol-based selector and promoter, DJ Stryda, about his longstanding Sufferah's Choice radio show, his works with Dubkasm and Teachings in Dub and his thoughts on the state of roots…
Solo Banton – Walk Like Rasta
(Reality Shock Records, 2010) Walk Like Rasta, released in January this year on Reality Shock Records, hits all my sweet spots. Solo Banton delivers his view on 'what kind of role a Rastafarian…
Solo Banton Top Ten – May 2010
Solo Banton has had a long career in the reggae music business as a top sound man and producer. His time as a recording artist began relatively recently, when he linked with Kris Kemist of Reality…
Interview with Mark Hardy a.k.a. Flexx Dem Proper
Hawk i talks to Mark Hardy a.k.a. Flexx Dem Proper, dancehall artist from Trinidad and Tobago. First up can you introduce yourself and tell New Zealand about the artist Mark Hardy? Greetings New…
Hawk I Top Ten – April 2010
Hawk I is a top-ranking reggae selector in the Wellington scene. He began playing records at house and outdoor parties in Christchurch, mainly among drum n bass circles. He developed a preference for…