JUNIOR REID
To date, Jamaican-born singer Junior Reid, a devout Rastafarian regarded by many as a messenger from Jah, is best known for the hit singles ‘Foreign Mind’, ‘One Blood’, ‘Boom Shak-a-Lak’ and ‘Listen to the Voices’. He also served as the lead singer for the Grammy Award-winning Reggae group Black Uhuru.
Born on the 6th of June, Delroy "Junior" Reid grew up in the Waterhouse
district of West Kingston. Junior began his career at an early age, gaining his initial inspiration from a tough upbringing. He recorded his first single ‘Know Myself’ at age fourteen for the late singer Hugh Mundell, released in the U.K. on the Greensleeves label. He then went on to form his own band, The Voice of Progress, and after a local hit with ‘Minibus Driver’ the group’s success was established with the album of the same name.
At the age of eighteen, Junior was asked to join Black Uhuru as lead singer. The group completed their transformation to international status while he was a member, nominated twice for a Grammy Award in the Reggae category.
After many changes in the music business and an agreed separation among the members of Black Uhuru, Junior returned to the solo arena and started his own production company, J.R. Productions.
Once again a solo artist, he recorded a number of songs for J.R. Productions and Sugar Minott's Youth Promotion label, enjoying considerable popularity with tracks such as ‘Human Nature’, ‘A-1 Lover, ‘Uplifting’ and ‘Proud Statement’.
1988 saw the release of Junior's first solo album, One Blood. The ‘One Blood’ single was remixed by Paul "Trouble" Anderson and released worldwide on Big Life/Mercury Records. That track and ‘Long Road’ received nominations for the prestigious Caribbean Music Awards and the Jamaica Music Industry Awards. He won awards for Best Album, Best Single, Best Song and Most Conscious Lyrics at the Jamaica Music Industry Awards. The follow-up to One Blood was the album Visa, which was distributed by the Greensleeves and Ras labels in addition to his J.R. Productions label.
During his music career Junior Reid has performed around the globe from Bermuda to Japan. He has proven to be a durable and popular entertainer on the world stage. In 1993, after a winning performance in Jamaica at the Montego Bay Superfest he toured Europe alongside Sugar Minott, the 809 Band, and Dub poet Mutabaruka. Junior was also featured in the biggest one-night show in Jamaica, the Sting, from 1996 to ‘98. Following exceptional performances at Sting and other shows he was offered a starring role in the Jamaican film ‘Klash’, produced by Billy Parker.
In 1997 Junior produced the album True World Order. He performed on the True World Order Tour in the United States and United Kingdom. He also teamed up with Busta Rhymes and Bounty Killa to record the hit single ‘Change Like the Weather’. He recorded the single ‘Dreadful Day’ with rappers Poor Righteous Teachers and, joined by the artist Cannibus, recorded the song ‘Frounsi Sound Bwoy’ for the Universal label.
Throughout his career he has done numerous interviews for television, radio
and newspapers and performed extensively internationally. In a producing role, Junior has lent his talents to various other artists. Early on he worked with Dennis Brown, Gregory lsaacs and the Mighty Diamonds to name few. More recently he has produced Andrew & 'Wada Blood (his sons), Elephant Man, Delly Ranks, Luciano and Anthony B. Reid has worked closely with Rap artists such as Wu Tang Clan, Goroo from Gangstar, the Absolute Beginners (from Germany) and Cold Cut.
In the year 2000 Mr. Reid/J.R. Productions distributed the ‘Emanuel Calling’ album, featuring the songs ‘Mashing Up the Earth’, ‘John Law’ and ‘Trod Up A-Zion’. He toured the United States and Caribbean, garnering raves. In 2002 Rasta Government was released. Lost Vinyl Classics was released in 2005. Junior has a new album finished, soon to be released.
With his incisive, prophetic lyrics and unstinting support for the ghetto man, Junior remains a powerful roots artist well known and loved worldwide.