Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

Singing duo Michigan (left) and Smiley. - Contributed

Deejay duo Michigan and Smiley enjoyed phenomenal success in the '70s and '80s.

They were among the first male duos to hit the scene and instantly made a hit of themselves with their quirky style.

Papa Michigan (Anthony Fairclough) and General Smiley (Errol Bennett) started out in the late '70s while still in school, scoring immediately with Rub a Dub Style and Nice up the Dance, two ubiquitous songs on the dancehall circuit.

One Love Jam Down became a popular anthem and 1982's Diseases established them as major stars, especially at the annual Reggae Sunsplash festivals.

However, they have not performed together for a while and The Sunday Gleaner caught up with the magical duo to see what has been keeping them away from the dancehall scene.

Sunday Gleaner: How did you get your name?

Michigan: Friends. They had a company that had a tractor called Michigan that was very powerful. So dem seh I'm powerful musically and lyrically. Smiley name Smiley 'cause him don't smile.

How did you and Smileyget together?

Michigan: We lived in the same community of Union Garden in Two Miles. I used to deejay on a sound called Third World and a friend of mine brought Smiley by.

After that, it was history. We got together and start deejay on the sound. We thought we could do a duet which was Rub A Dub Style at Studio One. We then did the song Nice Up Di Dance and an album together.

Were you alwaysinterested in music?

Michigan: Definitely. Friends of mine always said from I was a little boy going to church I was always singing. It wasn't a surprise to the family that I launched musically. They liked my positive route, clean lyrics.

Smiley: From an early age. When I was really young, I went to di country to spend time with my grandparents. My grandfather had a sound system. I was around that a lot growing up.

One of you guys talk more on stage than the other. Who is that, and why?

Michigan: (Laughs) It depends on the show. Sometimes I do more talking, sometimes Smiley does. I guess it's a balance.

Do you consider yourselves pioneers of the male duo?

Michigan: The whole world thinks so. I would have to say yes. We influence a lot of artistes. A lot of them come to us all the time, telling us that we inspired them. We help build di ting.

Smiley: Yeah, sure.

Why set you guys apart from other male duos at the time?

Michigan: Lyrical content did a lot dem times. A lot was going on around us. It was more intelligent, not simple. We tried using different words as such.

Smiley: They were no male duos at the time that we first started, only us in Jamaica. After us, others came 'bout in England and America. We started that.

What is the history ofthe song 'Diseases'?

Michigan: After dat song came out polio outbreak occurred, the first time it happened in Jamaica. Let me set the record straight; I had nothing to do with it. A lot of diseases start happen ... It was just prophetic.

What are your latest projects?

Michigan: Mi have a whole heap of songs. I have a song going on in Europe called Rude Boy Date. I have an album entitled It's All Good. It get a good review. Me and Smiley working on a new album to come out now.

Smiley: Well, we did the 'Dub Club'; now, we suppose to do the 'Belly Up' in San Diego. We suppose to go to Chicago this year and next year.

Is there anything youregret in your career?

Michigan: No man. Mi spiritual and when tings happen they just happen, it was meant to happen.

Smiley: No, cause everything is part of my experience.

What has changed mostin the music businesssince you first began?

Michigan: Now, technology has created the platform to have mini studios set up in people's houses to work on dem album. That's a big plus. More money being made now. But some tings are still di same, Sean Paul and Shaggy up dere like Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer were up dere.

Yuh always had negative dancehall, but dancehall and reggae get recognise by Grammys now.

Smiley: What happen now we can have our studios to make riddims. That is a great ting for today. Yu can even work while on di road.