Charlie Chaplin (singer)
Encyclopedia
Charlie Chaplin is a Jamaica
n dancehall
and ragga
deejay
and singer. It was common for Jamaican deejays of the era to name themselves after film stars or characters. Bennett, however, had been nicknamed after the comedian
since his youth. His career began in 1980
when he began working with U-Roy
's Stur-Gav Hi-Fi collective. He became extremely popular throughout Jamaica, memorable for his focus on cultural and social themes instead of the "slack" (rough, violent) lyrics
that were popular at the time. His popularity as a live performer prompted Roy Cousins
to produce
some recording
sessions with the young DJ. Chaplin's debut album
was the Cousins-produced Presenting Charlie Chaplin in 1982, with several albums following for the producer over the next 3 years.
The contrast between Chaplin's 'culture' lyrics and the other major deejays of the day led to the 1984 'clash' album with Yellowman
Slackness Vs Pure Culture.
Que Dem (1985), was produced by George Phang
and he continued recording, working with Bunny Roots, Josey Wales
, Sly & Robbie, Henry "Junjo" Lawes, Roots Radics
and Doctor Dread
.
Compilations:
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
n dancehall
Dancehall
Dancehall is a genre of Jamaican popular music that originated in the late 1970s. Initially dancehall was a more sparse version of reggae than the roots style, which had dominated much of the 1970s. In the mid-1980s, digital instrumentation became more prevalent, changing the sound considerably,...
and ragga
Ragga
-Origins:Ragga originated in Jamaica during the 1980s, at the same time that electronic dance music's popularity was increasing globally. One of the reasons for ragga's swift propagation is that it is generally easier and less expensive to produce than reggae performed on traditional musical...
deejay
Deejay
A deejay is a reggae or dancehall musician who sings and toasts to an instrumental riddim .Deejays are not to be confused with disc jockeys from other music genres like hip-hop, where they select and play music. Dancehall/reggae DJs who select riddims to play are called selectors...
and singer. It was common for Jamaican deejays of the era to name themselves after film stars or characters. Bennett, however, had been nicknamed after the comedian
Comedian
A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy...
since his youth. His career began in 1980
1980 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1980.-January–March:*January 1**Cliff Richard is appointed an MBE by Elizabeth II.**The Zorros audition drummer Greg Pedley....
when he began working with U-Roy
U-Roy
U-Roy , OD, is a Jamaican musician, also known as The Originator. He is best known as a pioneer of toasting.-Biography:...
's Stur-Gav Hi-Fi collective. He became extremely popular throughout Jamaica, memorable for his focus on cultural and social themes instead of the "slack" (rough, violent) lyrics
Lyrics
Lyrics are a set of words that make up a song. The writer of lyrics is a lyricist or lyrist. The meaning of lyrics can either be explicit or implicit. Some lyrics are abstract, almost unintelligible, and, in such cases, their explication emphasizes form, articulation, meter, and symmetry of...
that were popular at the time. His popularity as a live performer prompted Roy Cousins
Roy Cousins
Roy Cousins is a reggae singer, producer, and record label owner, known for his work as leader of The Royals, his productions of artists such as Charlie Chaplin, Prince Far I, and Cornell Campbell, and his record labels such as Tamoki Wambesi.-Biography:Cousins worked for the Jamaican Post Office...
to produce
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
some recording
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
sessions with the young DJ. Chaplin's debut album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
was the Cousins-produced Presenting Charlie Chaplin in 1982, with several albums following for the producer over the next 3 years.
The contrast between Chaplin's 'culture' lyrics and the other major deejays of the day led to the 1984 'clash' album with Yellowman
Yellowman
Yellowman is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall deejay, widely known as King Yellowman...
Slackness Vs Pure Culture.
Que Dem (1985), was produced by George Phang
George Phang
George Phang is a reggae producer born in the 1950s in south Saint Andrew, Kingston, Jamaica where still resides today.Phang started his reggae label Powerhouse in the early 1980s. His first hits were Little John's "True Confessions" and "Roots Girl", both released in 1983...
and he continued recording, working with Bunny Roots, Josey Wales
Josey Wales
Josey Wales, born Joseph Winston Sterling in St. Mary, Jamaica is an influential Jamaican dancehall deejay. He was considered, along with Brigadier Jerry, Yellowman and sound system partner Charlie Chaplin, one of the best deejays of the 1980s....
, Sly & Robbie, Henry "Junjo" Lawes, Roots Radics
Roots Radics
The Roots Radics Band was formed in 1978 by bass player Errol "Flabba" Holt and guitarist Eric "Bingy Bunny" Lamont. They were joined by many great musicians. As a combined force the Roots Radics became a well-respected studio and stage band, which dominated the sound in the first half of the 1980s...
and Doctor Dread
Doctor Dread
Gary Himelfarb , aka Doctor Dread, is a reggae producer who founded RAS Records. He is notable for his respectful dedication to roots reggae artists; and in turn for helping spread their works and words throughout the world. He has recently launched the website -Biography:Himelfarb was born in...
.
Discography
- Presenting Charlie Chaplin (1982), Kingdom
- Red Pond (1982), Tamoki Wambesi
- Chaplin Chant, Tamoki Wambesi
- One of a Kind (1983), TrojanTrojan RecordsTrojan Records is a British record label founded in 1968. It specialises in ska, rocksteady, reggae and dub music. The label currently operates under the Sanctuary Records Group. The name Trojan comes from the Croydon-built Trojan truck that was used as Duke Reid's sound system in Jamaica...
- Fire Burn Them Below (1984), Power House
- Roots & Culture (1984), Vista Sounds
- Sound System (1984), Arrival
- Que Dem (1985), Sonic Sounds
- Quenchie, Tamoki Wambesi
- Yellowman Meets Charlie Chaplin, Power House - with YellowmanYellowmanYellowman is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall deejay, widely known as King Yellowman...
- Live at Maypen Clarendon (1988), Tamoki Wambesi
- Two Sides of Charlie Chaplin (1989), RASRAS RecordsRAS Records, also known as Real Authentic Sound, is a reggae record label.-History:RAS Records was founded in 1979 by Doctor Dread. In his travels to Jamaica he created a network within the reggae artist community there. By the early to mid 1980s RAS had signed artists such as Black Uhuru, Inner...
- Take 2 (1990), RAS
- Cry Blood (1991), RAS
- Old and New Testament (1992), RAS
- Kings of the Dancehall (1994), VPVP RecordsVP Records is an independent reggae record label, located in Queens, New York. It is best known for producing Caribbean singers.-The foundation:...
- with Josey WalesJosey WalesJosey Wales, born Joseph Winston Sterling in St. Mary, Jamaica is an influential Jamaican dancehall deejay. He was considered, along with Brigadier Jerry, Yellowman and sound system partner Charlie Chaplin, one of the best deejays of the 1980s.... - Too Hot to Handle (1994), RAS
- The Negril Chill (1997), Shellshock - with Yellowman
- Gwaan U Ways (2001), P.O.T.
- Free Africa, Sonic Sounds
Compilations:
- 20 Super Hits (1991), Sonic Sounds
- Dance Hall Rockers, Sunset
- Dance Hall Rockers vol. 2, Harry J
- Ras Portraits (1997), RAS
- Face to Face (2000), Cactus
- Respect Due (2000), Creole
- DJ Roll Call (2006), RAS
- Kings of Reggae, Nocturne