Producer Cleveland 'Brixton' Scott and Tarik 'Russian' Johnston. - Contributed photos

Despite the name, when the music of production house Head Concussion hits the industry, there is no pain. Producers Tarik 'Russian' Johnston and Cleveland 'Brixton' Scott are making nothing less than a formidable impact.

In little over a year, the two young producers have turned heads as they show they can produce diverse singles and rhythms with crossover appeal. With Johnston living and working from Kingston and Scott living and producing from Linstead, St Catherine, the two have shown that distance has not stopped their hard work or creative ability.

Gaining local attention

The duo gained attention on the local scene last year with the catchy hit Life Sweet by Vybz Kartel and have continued to deliver songs that are doing well locally and internationally. The list of songs streaming on the airwaves currently includes Good Girl Gone Bad by Tarrus Riley and Konshens, Virginity by Vybz Kartel as well as Pretty Devil and This Means Money, both by Konshens.

When The Sunday Gleaner spoke with the two producers, it was a surprise to discover that both have no professional training in music and are self-taught. For 19-year-old Scott, a part-time student at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, the love of music developed from an early age. Playing the recorder and congo drums as a child, Scott had a natural inclination for music and is currently fine-tuning his art with piano training. Despite his early love, it wasn't until three years ago that Scott began taking his craft seriously, teaching himself how to build rhythms on the computer.

For Johnston, music was always in the family, having followed in the footsteps of his supportive father - former producer Michael 'Micron' Johnston. Messing around the keyboard and drum machine as a child, Johnston taught himself along the way, becoming serious about music last year and, since, hasn't turned back.

Fate

Fate soon intervened, as Johnston focused on forming Head Concussion Music early last year when he met Scott and realised their shared interest for the craft. Scott told The Sunday Gleaner, "I met Russian at Edna Manley in 2008 and we just started to link up. We would build a rhythm together or I would stay home and build a rhythm and he would add to it and vice versa. I guess talent finds talent."

The two often collaborate at a home studio in Liguanea, once or twice a week, and also work individually at their respective homes.

Despite the chemistry between the two, the distance can be challenging. Scott said he hopes to move to Kingston one day to be at the mecca of local music.

In the meantime, Head Concussion has been busy with new singles such as Bar Bill from Beenie Man and Life of a Juvenile by Demarco.

Johnston described their signature sound as eclectic.

"Our music is a young, fresh blend of hip hop, dancehall and more. It's a creative sound which doesn't have a specific focus in terms of genre but blends them all and it's always well produced," he said.

He added they are grateful that in a short time the label's name has been gaining recognition from the music fraternity. With plans to move Head Concussion to a bigger and better-equipped studio, Johnston and Scott are preparing to blow everyone's mind.