Fathead
b. Vernon Rainford, Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies. Fathead is particularly remembered for his renowned contribution to the Yellowman phenomenon. The fad often referred to as Yellow Fever began in 1980 and culminated in 1982 with a myriad of releases. The popularity of DJ duos such as Michigan And Smiley and Clint Eastwood And General Saint saw the pairing of Yellowman and Fathead. The duo performed regularly at the Aces discotheque in St. Thomas where they built a solid reputation. Yellowman’s words of wisdom were punctuated by Fathead chanting ‘ribbit’ and ‘oink’ sounds at the end of each line, which became en vogue in the early 80s. In response to the success of pirated ‘yard tapes’, veteran producer Lloyd Campbell inaugurated the idea of recording a live dancehall session for release on vinyl. Yellowman And Fathead Live At Aces included performances from Jah Reubal and Little Harry alongside the DJ duo. The compilation featured Fathead both as a soloist and in combination. He was able to demonstrate his potential as an individual performer with ‘Gi Me The Music’, ‘Fathead Sweet’ and an interpretation of Yellowman’s ‘Operation Eradication’ as ‘Eradication Operation’. The success of the album led to a series of releases that would have previously only been heard on yard tapes. As the Yellowman phenomenon progressed Fathead featured on a number of recordings with a variety of producers, including Ruddy Thomas and Henry ‘Junjo’ Lawes. The early releases of the duo’s work gave no indication as to Fathead’s appearance. His appellation led to unfounded speculation that his head size was not in proportion with his body. These rumours were soon quashed when photographs revealed him to be a handsome, youthful man. By 1983 the partnership ended amicably and Fathead enjoyed a minor hit with Lloyd Campbell with ‘It’s Me’/‘Wha Dat’. Though not as prolific as Yellowman, Fathead released the equally popular singles ‘Rat Trap’, ‘Come Me A Come’, ‘Champion’ and ‘Stop All The Fight’. The DJ also featured as a soloist on Junjo Presents Two Big Sound. Fathead performed alongside Early B, U. Brown, Johnny Ringo, Ranking Toyan and debutant Beenie Man. The compilation found Fathead representing both sound systems. He followed Beenie Man on Lees Unlimited, while in combination with Little Harry and Early B he closed the set for the Peoples Choice. Fathead is a highly regarded performer although he was unable to emulate the phenomenal success of his DJ partner. Not to be confused with the USA blues band of the same name.
© TiVo
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Bad Boy Skanking
Reggae - Released by Greensleeves Records on Jan 1, 1982
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Where's the Blues Taking Me
Blues - Released by Electro-Fi on Apr 12, 2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Building Full of Blues
Blues - Released by Electro-Fi on Apr 18, 2007
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
First Class Riff-Raff
Blues - Released by Fathead on Jan 1, 2002
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Drug Dealin Skreet Nigga
Hip-Hop/Rap - Released by Fathead on Oct 11, 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Where's Your Head At?
Blues - Released by Fathead on Jan 1, 2000
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Twenty Years Deep (The Very Best of Fathead, 1992-2012)
Blues - Released by Electro-Fi on Oct 6, 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Underrated
Hip-Hop/Rap - Released by Hustle Grind Entertainment on Sep 16, 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Boundless
Hip-Hop/Rap - Released by Mass Transit Music on Jun 1, 2000
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Into Battle EP
Electronic - Released by Freskanova on Jan 1, 1997
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Thing
Hip-Hop/Rap - Released by Mass Transit Music on Dec 31, 2000
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Live at the Chameleon Club, Vol. 1
Hip-Hop/Rap - Released by Mass Transit on Apr 20, 2001
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
India
Hip-Hop/Rap - Released by Mass Transit Music on Feb 28, 1995
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Journey into the Inner of Your Head
Progressive Rock - Released by Christian Grosskopf on May 17, 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
What Doesn't Kill Us...
Hip-Hop/Rap - Released by Mass Transit Music on Sep 1, 1998
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Trap Still Jumpin
Hip-Hop/Rap - Released by Fathead on Dec 21, 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Test of Time
Hip-Hop/Rap - Released by Mass Transit Music on Mar 1, 2004
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo