Big Youth : Rolling Stone

Recordings and Reviews

Screaming Target

Crucial Seventies reggae riddims in the early 1970s, Big Youth -- the resident DJ for Lord Tipperton's hi-fi sound system -- ruled Kingston, Jamaica. Toasting over bass-driven versions of early reggae hits, he slayed rival DJs with his pointed cultural and religious commentary and his trademark Jame...

1973 RS: 4of 5 Stars

Biography

A cabbie turned disc jockey, Big Youth was Jamaica's most popular "toaster" (a disc jockey who ad libs over instrumental tracks) in the '70s. His early records featured rhymes, doggerel, and scat singing over previously released tunes by other artists remixed to cut out the original vocals and bring out the bass and drums. Big Youth's style influenced the early rappers, who adapted his Caribbean m...

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