I-Roy | Artist

Roy Samuel Reid aka I-Roy was a Jamaican DJ and dub-reggae artist born 1944 in St. Thomas Parish, Jamaica. He started his musical career in 1968 when he set up his Soul Bunny sound system, running it on Victoria Pier on Wednesday afternoons, while working during the day as a government accountant. Reid was influenced by fellow deejays Dennis Alcapone and Ewart Beckford aka U-Roy. He had a 1972 hit with "Sidewalk Killer", a take on Tommy McCook's original "Sidewalk Doctor", they made his name with the Gussie Clarke produced debut album, Presenting I Roy (1973), which contained several hit singles. I-Roy's lyrics were often humorous, incorporating elements of songs and nursery rhymes. He went on to record 21 studio albums before dying of heart failure in November 1999, one month after the death of his son in prison. Standout I-Roy albums include Presenting I-Roy, Truths and Rights, Crisi Time, Musical Shark Attack and Heart of a Lion. I-Roy lived in the UK for several years in the late 70's, promoting his albums on Virgin Records and UK hit singles "Buck and the Preacher" and "Monkey Fashion".

Artist Website: wikipedia/I-Roy

Featured Albums: I-Roy

Related Artists: I Roy, King Tubby, Gussie Clarke

Video Clips: Blackman Time, The Best Ten, Tougher Than Tough