CoolieDread

CoolieDread Music Producer James D’Lonsod, best known to the public as “CoolieDread” works as the premier dancehall reggae artist in the Philippines. Kilat’s sound.

CoolieDread got his start performing by drumming for HERBS and they released their eponymous album in 2002. As a professional film sound engineer, it comes as no surprise that producing music drew his interest and after HERBS disbanded in 2005, he formed CoolieDread and the Microphone Commanders (CDMC). From there it only took a year to win the Motorola Rock’moto contest in 2006. CDMC toured heavi

ly in the archipelago winning fans and support for his unique style of dancehall reggae. 2009 brought an invitation to join Jr. Kilat as their touring/sampling DJ. CoolieDread’s personally produced tracks and beats meshed well with Jr. Soon after SigbinHaus SoundSystem appeared joining these musical artists together with Budoy as one sound in festivals. Represented the Philippines in Shanghai World Expo 2010. CoolieDread worked on projects with Jr. Kilat, Cattski, Gaucho, Milagros Dancehall Collective, Lady-I and many others. Launched his Skank and Groove Records Label early 2020 and produced the music of CDMC (his band), as well as ArchieMan, JCOY, TYO, Ekah, Jaz, Michal Garcia (Canada), Johnson Levi (France), Martin Buchanan (UK, Jamaica), and DoRock (Japan). Currently CoolieDread sponsors events to develop new artists and introduce veteran musicians to other parts of the Philippines, areas bereft of the joy that only reggae can deliver.

05/06/2026

🦀 🏝️

Throwback to shooting "Dancy" Coolie Dread and the Microphone Commanders music video. The original plan? Shoot everythin...
03/06/2026

Throwback to shooting "Dancy" Coolie Dread and the Microphone Commanders music video. The original plan? Shoot everything on green screen and see how much movie magic we could squeeze out of it.

At the time, I was working as a film sound engineer and preparing to leave the country for a new chapter. My colleagues kept pushing me to make a music video and put their skills to work. I resisted for two reasons: I couldn't afford to pay anyone, and I absolutely hated being on camera. All I ever wanted was to stay behind the scenes making music. But after countless lunch breaks spent dissecting films and throwing around crazy ideas, we finally said, "Why not?" The album had already been out for a year, getting radio play and moving a few CDs here and there.

What followed was madness. Countless hours of editing, 2D animation, 3D animation, compositing, sound design, and even a custom audio remix for the video, automating vocal levels so whichever singer was on screen became the focus. For us, this was next-level stuff. Everything was edited in HD. Looking back now, after years of working with 4K workflows, I'm still blown away by what the team pulled off with the tools we had.

Big respect and gratitude to everyone involved. This one will always be special.

2026 re-mastered tracks soon to be uploaded. Watch the space!
29/05/2026

2026 re-mastered tracks soon to be uploaded. Watch the space!

28/05/2026

CDMC "On The Island" studio recording & IAO montage

Started as a one month SUP exploration after the Paddle Games in Siargao. Turned into a three-year ride of surf lessons, accidents, bukid missions, hostel work life, pop-ups, acoustic jams, regular dj gigs, re-uniting long lost friends and meeting new friends that became family.

"On The Island" - a soundtrack to getting lost and somehow staying. Written by Chef Kel and Yourstruly.

28/05/2026

🌧️🌧️🌧️

here we go again 💦
when it rains, it pours...
another beat instrumental

out soon:
Youtube: CoolieDreadProductions
CoolieDread dot bandcamp dot com

28/05/2026

🪫🚙🤷🏾‍♂️💣🔊

cruise and reset...
made a beat instrumental

out soon:
Youtube: CoolieDreadProductions
CoolieDread dot bandcamp dot com

26/05/2026

😂😂😂 algorithm preferred showing my sloppy guitar jam than the polished proper music video, which took months to create.

thanks to all who shared "Island Conquerors" MV. grabe mo ka TUNAY!!!

24/05/2026

CoolieDread "Island Conquerors" featuring Emann Vibration and King Rah OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

Dubplate tune from Siargao Island
with the hommies Emann Vibration and King Rah

buy the original tune here :)
cooliedread.bandcamp dot com

Vocals and Lyrics by
"Emann Vibration" Davao / Siargao
"King Rah" UK
"CoolieDread" Cebu

produced, recorded, mixed and mastered
by CoolieDread
Studio
Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Philippines

Shot in Siargao Island and Cordova, Cebu
Edited by Kaybah
Motion Graphics by Janssen Vercide

Siargao Island Gyals
CHRISSI * MAK * JORDYN * TEDDY * MALI * HONEY * ANNALISE

Director of Photography
Ruben "Niconiks" Ybañez
Bien Soy
Edu Buenaventura

Give thanks to:
DARIO * MIGUEL * RASLINGA * BRGY MASALA * HEADHIGH * EVsound * HIPPIEHUT * CALIPULACO * GLIDEWISE * KOLIN

Cover Art & Layout Kaybah Tarong
Skank and Groove Records © all rights reserved

17/05/2026

mash up di place in every faction!
mv on youtube: CoolieDreadProductions
"Island Conquerors" feat Emann & KingRah

16/05/2026

"Island Conquerors" lickle acoustic jam...
we used to just jam this out like freestyle
we still tend to forget the actual lyrics 😅
need more practice after months of not playing it live...

Puuuuuuuullll upp....
Daghana sayup 😂

checkout our music video on my YouTube channel
CoolieDreadProductions

Address

Catangnan

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when CoolieDread posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category