General Levy
b. Paul Levy, 1971, Park Royal, London, England. As ragga music finally made it into the mainstream in 1993 with Chaka Demus And Pliers, Shaggy, Shabba Ranks and others storming the UK national charts, it was left to just one home-grown DJ to fly the flag for British ragga music. A north London youth, Levy began his career DJing as General Levy, working his way through Vigilante, Java and Robbo Ranx’s Tipatone sound systems. His first release was for Robbo’s Muzik Street label in 1988, and ‘New Cockatoo’ proved to be something quite different, as Levy’s freshness, youth and enthusiasm poured out of every groove. His next move was to south London where Fashion Records’ resident engineer, Gussie P, released his debut album, on which he shared the honours with Jamaican superstar DJ Capleton. Entitled Double Trouble the format (already tried and trusted) highlighted both Levy’s and Capleton’s different styles and approaches, spanning Jamaican and UK traditions. His popularity was boosted by numerous ‘specials’ for sound systems and he finally came to the public’s attention in a big way with ‘Original Length & Strength’ on Fashion Records. His next trio of releases for Fashion, ‘Heat’, ‘Breeze’ and ‘The Wig’ established him as the British DJ. His lyrics ranged from serious culture to risqué ‘slackness’, with barely a pause for breath. His live shows had to be experienced to be believed, as he exploded all over the stage, arms and legs flailing to the accompaniment of non-stop, infectious, raucous rhyming. His branching out with Justice Records for some hip-hop-based recordings further broadened his appeal, and the late 1992 long-playing release for Fashion of The Wickeder General was an immediate runaway success. His burgeoning talent and personality was soon spotted by the majors (especially with all the frantic interest in ragga in the spring of 1993), and ffrr Records clinched the big contract. They retitled, repackaged and re-promoted The Wickeder General as Wickedness Increase and the strength of the added tracks ensured healthy sales - even to the reggae market where his fans had already purchased the original pressing.
© TiVo
Similar artists
-
Jah Jah Bless
Reggae - Released by SouLove Records on 24 Jan 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
Wickedness Increase
Reggae - Released by Fashion Records Ltd. on 12 Jun 2007
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
-
We Run The Area
Idris Elba, Toddla T, General Levy
Reggae - Released by 7Wallace on 5 Jun 2023
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Choo Choo Train (Bonnot Remix)
Drum & Bass - Released by Jungle Heritage Recordings on 1 Jan 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
Be Conscious & Wise: Dub Showcase
Dub - Released by Ariwa Sounds Ltd. on 23 Jun 2017
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Forward
Drum & Bass - Released by Jungle Heritage Recordings on 14 Nov 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The General
Miscellaneous - Released by Jungle Cakes on 11 May 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Inna Nice Up! Fashion
Reggae - Released by Nice Up! Records - Fashion Records on 28 Feb 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Highest Grade (Serial Killaz Remix)
Drum & Bass - Released by X-Ray Production on 21 Dec 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
In the Chamber of Dub!!!
Dub - Released by Ariwa Sounds Ltd. on 13 Aug 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Addicted to the Grade
Drum & Bass - Released by Jungle Heritage Recordings on 27 Mar 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
In the Ghetto
Dub - Released by Ariwa Sounds Ltd. on 15 Feb 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Can't Block the Blessings
Reggae - Released by Street Rockaz Family on 12 Apr 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Badboy Sound
Drum & Bass - Released by General levy on 9 Nov 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
We Run The Area (TQD Remixes)
Idris Elba, Toddla T, General Levy
Miscellaneous - Released by 7Wallace on 21 Jul 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
We Progressive
Reggae - Released by X-Ray Production on 22 Apr 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Rub a Dub Session
Reggae - Released by Heartical Label on 22 Jun 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo