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 social commentator’.
Growing up on a diet of Saxon sound tapes and practising the lyrics of 80s UK veteran deejays such as Tippa Irie, Papa Levi, Asher Senator and Smiley Culture as well as Jamaican artists like Papa San and Yellowman, gave the young YT an education in reggae lyrics and how to flow over a beat. Listening to these veteran artists and sneaking into local dances and sound clashes, YT saw for himself how the reggae scene worked and appreciated the standard that was needed to take the microphone at a dance.
He says “that is really where I studied the lyrics and learnt how to tackle subjects and them times if you could chat lyrics from a Papa San or an Asher Senator song then that was real skills as they were some complicated lyrics! What they were talking about at that time really inspired me, the message of what they were saying, the whole life experience thing was deep and I had a lot to say on that level from my own life.”
YT became part of Ipswich sound, Ashanti, and in 1992 went into the studio for the first time in Brixton with Dennis Rootical. The session resulted in his first record called ‘Cris Biscuit Gal’ which was a white label release.
He went on to link with Patrick Donnegan at Progressive Sounds in Battersea, Jack Reuben and The Riddler and a young Seanie T, and Stingray (one of the big London labels) and it was this link that eventually took YT to Jamaica to work with Big Ship, John John and Shocking Vibes among others.
After hooking up with another local Ipswich producer, NJC, the two went on to set up Sativa Records in 2003 with Digital and Innerheart. YT went on to have a string of hit singles including international smash hit “Wicked Act”, a thought provoking account of 7/7 London bombings, and the chart-topping “England Story”. Both of these tracks were included on YT’s debut album Straight Outta Britain. His second album Born Inna Babylon was released in 2009.
YT tours over Europe and beyond and he continues to record with many of the top names in the industry both in Europe and Jamaica. Watch out for more big hits soon to be released from his work with Mungo’s Hi Fi and Peckings.
More info:
YT YouTube
Respect to YT for his Top Ten current tracks for June 2010.
1. Julian and Damian Marley – Violence in the Streets
2. Sizzla – Music In My Soul
3. Agent Sasco aka Assassin – Hand to Mouth
4. Aidonia – Jahoviah
5. Solo Banton – Stayed Home Today
6. Etana – August Town
7. Vybez Kartel – Marie
8. Mr Williamz – Real General
9. Mavado – Nine Life
10. Nas and Jr Gong featuring Dennis Brown – Land of Promise
