Shinehead

Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

Tonight at the National Indoor Sports Arena, for the fourth staging of Richie Stephens' 'Take Me Away' concert entertainer Edmund Carl Aiken plans to bring just a little 'Shinehead' to the musical arena.

With an energetic and lively personality, Shinehead's songs are often peppered with humour, harsh reality, socioeconomic commentary, matters of the heart and positive messages, as he delivers cover songs and his own original material.

Born in Jamaica, Shinehead spent his time between 'yard' and the USA, which is reflected in his eclectic recordings. Shinehead released several albums between the late '80s and early '90s which blended dancehall with hip hop. Whether Shinehead was toasting, crooning or flat-out rapping - and even whistling - he always balanced his material between the positive and socially conscious and more lighthearted sentiments.

Eager to be home

When The Sunday Gleaner recently caught up with the artiste in a phone interview before tonight's appearance on the Jamaican stage after many years', absence, he said he was eager to be coming back home. With a happy-go-lucky nature and a master at changing his voice, Shinehead described himself as a man of "a million voices. A guy like any other with a message".

Shinehead began his musical career in 1980, but before that, his exposure was to the sound system, where he developed his love for music. "I got started and influenced by my uncle Winston, who owned a sound system in the 1970s. In 1980, in New York, I merged with the likes of Downbeat, African Love and Specialist Roots, among others. I went from the dances to hip hop jams; I had a dual world ting a gwaan," he said.

Due to his talent on the sounds Shinehead was signed to Elektra Records in 1988, where he stayed until 1995, then did an album called Praises with VP Records in 1999.

Different genres

After 28 years in the business Shinehead refuses to confine his music to a box, as he continues to explore different genres. He is known for songs such as Strive, Jamaican in New York, Rough and Rugged and Let Em In, among others.

A regular 'returnee' to the island, Shinehead has not been on the stage regularly, his last performance being in Negril in 2005. Yet, he has been busy touring Europe and the "rest of the free world", as well as working on an album to be released by December.

Shinehead is glad for the opportunity to be on the Jamaican stage again and said: "I look forward to the show. There are a few times in my lifetime I know I live a few miracles; Sunday is one of them. Fans can expect the same ole Shinehead. We as artistes should mek people enjoy demselves."

"To di people, I love you and thank you for your support. It's not what you wear, it's how you wear it. It's not where you live but how you live it. Strive!"