It's a family affair

Claude Mills, Staff Reporter

THEY ARE like the Jamaican version of the 'Partridge Family'. Well, kinda.

While they don't all play musical instruments, and they aren't Caucasian, the Jammys family is a force to reckon with in the music industry, and they are doing it together.

Lloyd 'King Jammys' James, the patriarch, is five-time producer of the year winner who has produced seminal tracks and rhythms in Jamaican music such as the 'Sleng Teng', and is still a major force to reckon with, having produced slamming rhythms such as the 'Bellyas' and 'Badda Badda' in recent times.

"I am proud of my family and my sons. Other parents' children choose different career paths, opting not to go into the family business, but I am glad all my sons have decided to get involved in the entertainment industry. Hence the dynasty will continue," he said.

The dynasty's strength hinges largely on the talents, foresight and energy of King Jammys' four sons: 'John John', Christopher, Trevor and 'Jam-2'.

Youth Link spoke to a few of the young corporate creative wizards earlier this week.

"I get a lot of props from my peers because of my engineering and computing skills. The music has always been in my blood, I just felt compelled to do it, music is my life, and I'm grateful for the chance to be a part of what my father has built here. Plus working with my brothers and my father, and creating exciting music, is just a dream come true for me," Jam-2, the youngest of the bunch, said.

The eldest son, 'John John', is the apparent heir to the King Jammys throne. Affectionately called 'Johnny Awful' by friends, he is the most accomplished of the quartet of sons having produced top flight deejays such as Shabba and Bounty Killer in the early 90s'. He was the producer behind Bounty Killer classics such as 'Lodge' and 'Gal', and the critically acclaimed 'Perilous Time' album of Singer Sanchez.

Trevor 'Baby G' James, 19, is another budding ace-producer-in-the-making. He was christened Trevor James in honour of his uncle who oversees financial matters at the King Jammys studio and music empire.

"I was in Canada but my father asked me to come home, and I did, and I don't regret it; it's great working with my dad, but I can do my own thing. I have started my own label, Baby Giant, and last year Jam-2 built a rhythm for me called 'Psycho' which did very well. I can also deejay and sing, and I teamed up with Wayne Marshall to do a song called 'Bling' on the new Volume rhythm. Trust me, it's wicked," Baby G said.

He is also the road manager for upcoming deejay sensation, Wayne Marshall, and is active in administrative matters.

Christopher, the second eldest, is the road manager for Ward 21, and dabbles in the production side of the biz as well.

"King Jammys studio is just a family affair, my brother, Trevor James, and my wife help to make all the executive decisions, there is Katherine who oversees office matters, and who is like a daughter to me, and then my four sons are involved in various levels of the organisation. I am a happy father, I am a satisfied man, I know that they will take over and do things, and carry on where I left off. What more could a father ask for?" King Jammys said.

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