28/10/2025
BLESSED EARTH STRONG TO KING JAMMY!
Lloyd Woodrowe James aka "King Jammy" was born October 26th, 1947 in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Interested in little else but the sound system business from a very early age, James began by building amplifiers and repairing electrical equipment from his mother's house in the Waterhouse area of Kingston, and was soon playing live with his own sound system. His prowess earned him a deserved local reputation, and as Prince Jammy he built equipment for many Waterhouse sounds. He was even acknowledged by the legendary King Tubby, another Waterhouse resident, with whom Jammy often worked.
In the early '70s Jammy left Jamaica to work in Canada, where his reputation had preceded him, and he was soon working in live stage shows and employed in various studio activities and sound system work. He stayed for a few years but returned to Kingston and set up his first at his in-laws' home in Waterhouse.
Jammy was continually expanding his own studio and sound system, and in the late '70s he began to release his own productions, including Black Uhuru's 1977 debut album, coming into contact with many rising dancehall artists such as Half Pint, Junior Reid, and Echo Minott. He also became a prolific producer of dub records, and was noted for his clear sound and creative usage of effects. His early albums include 1978's Jammies in Lion Dub Style (on his own Jammys Records) and 1979's Kamikazi Dub (on Trojan).
Jammy's constant involvement with the grassroots side of the business gave him a keen sense of what was currently happening in reggae, and also allowed him to anticipate new trends. In 1985 he recorded a young singer named Wayne Smith with a tune called "Under Me Sleng Teng," which was to alter irrevocably the nature, and revolutionize the sound, of reggae music. The basis for "Sleng Teng" was a Casio "music box," and one of the "rock" rhythms from the box was adapted and slowed down to become a "reggae" rhythm.
The shock waves were scarcely believable, and before long there were over 200 different versions of the rhythm available.
Countless artists made their debut on the Jammys label, but veteran singers and vocal groups were all keen to play their parts in the new sound. There was no one to rival him, and in 1987 Jammy won the coveted Rockers Award for Best Producer.
On February 6, 1989, King Tubby was shot and killed outside of his Kingston home, a murder case that has yet to be solved. Jammy, Tubby's former apprentice, was the natural heir to the throne, and he's been known as King Jammy ever since. He remained as active as ever during the '90s and 2000s, working with stars from across the roots and dancehall scenes, including Frankie Paul, Junior Reid, Gregory Isaacs, Sizzla, and countless others.
In 2006, King Jammy was recognized for his extensive work in music and was inducted into the Order of Distinction, receiving the rank of Officer. In October 2025, he will be vested with the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander.
