Red Dragon (musician)
Encyclopedia
Leroy May better known as Red Dragon and initially as Redman, is a Jamaica
n deejay
active since the early 1980s.
, May deejayed with several sound systems in the early 1980s, including Barrington Hi Fi, Stone Love, People's Choice, and his own Rambo Mango, initially working under the name Redman. His "Laughing Dragon" dubplate
became popular, prompting a change of stage name to Red Dragon. Early recordings included "Computer" for producer Charlie Chaplin
, "Nah Get Nutten" for Harry J, and his first big hit "Hold a Fresh" for Winston Riley
. He went on to record for King Tubby
and King Jammy
, and in 1989 his debut album was released, a split LP with his brother, the deejay Flourgon
. He also started his own Dragon label, and moved into production, and helped to nurture the early careers of artists such as Buju Banton
and Terry Ganzie. In the early 1990s, he returned to recording, enjoying hits with a variety of producers including Riley, Bobby Digital, and Sly & Robbie, and had a major hit single along with Brian & Tony Gold with "Compliments on Your Kiss" in 1994, the single reaching number two in the UK Singles Chart
.
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
n deejay
Deejay
A deejay is a reggae or dancehall musician who sings and toasts to an instrumental riddim .Deejays are not to be confused with disc jockeys from other music genres like hip-hop, where they select and play music. Dancehall/reggae DJs who select riddims to play are called selectors...
active since the early 1980s.
Biography
Born in Kingston, JamaicaKingston, Jamaica
Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica, located on the southeastern coast of the island. It faces a natural harbour protected by the Palisadoes, a long sand spit which connects the town of Port Royal and the Norman Manley International Airport to the rest of the island...
, May deejayed with several sound systems in the early 1980s, including Barrington Hi Fi, Stone Love, People's Choice, and his own Rambo Mango, initially working under the name Redman. His "Laughing Dragon" dubplate
Dubplate
A dubplate is an acetate disc – usually 12, 10, or 7 inches in diameter – used in mastering studios for quality control and test recordings before proceeding with the final master, and subsequent pressing of the record to be mass-produced on vinyl. The "dub" in dubplate is an allusion to...
became popular, prompting a change of stage name to Red Dragon. Early recordings included "Computer" for producer Charlie Chaplin
Charlie Chaplin (singer)
Charlie Chaplin is a Jamaican dancehall and ragga deejay and singer. It was common for Jamaican deejays of the era to name themselves after film stars or characters. Bennett, however, had been nicknamed after the comedian since his youth. His career began in 1980 when he began working with...
, "Nah Get Nutten" for Harry J, and his first big hit "Hold a Fresh" for Winston Riley
Winston Riley
Winston Riley worked as a songwriter and record producer of Jamaican music. According to the Jamaica Gleaner, Riley has a claim to being the most successful reggae producer of all-time.-Biography:...
. He went on to record for King Tubby
King Tubby
King Tubby was a Jamaican electronics and sound engineer, known primarily for his influence on the development of dub in the 1960s and 1970s...
and King Jammy
King Jammy
Lloyd James , better known as Prince Jammy or King Jammy, is a dub mixer and record producer. He began his musical career as a dub master at King Tubby's recording studio...
, and in 1989 his debut album was released, a split LP with his brother, the deejay Flourgon
Flourgon
Michael May , better known as Flourgon, is a Jamaican dancehall artist.-Biography:May got his nickname of 'Flourgon', which became his stage name, due to his love of dumplings. After being tutored by Charlie Chaplin, he gained experience deejaying on various Kingston sound systems, he started his...
. He also started his own Dragon label, and moved into production, and helped to nurture the early careers of artists such as Buju Banton
Buju Banton
Buju Banton is a Jamaican dancehall, ragga, and reggae musician.Banton has recorded pop and dance songs, as well as songs dealing with sociopolitical topics....
and Terry Ganzie. In the early 1990s, he returned to recording, enjoying hits with a variety of producers including Riley, Bobby Digital, and Sly & Robbie, and had a major hit single along with Brian & Tony Gold with "Compliments on Your Kiss" in 1994, the single reaching number two in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
.
Discography
- Red Dragon vs. Flourgon (1989), Techniques
- Pum Pum Shorts (1992), Dragon
- Good Old College (1992), VPVP RecordsVP Records is an independent reggae record label, located in Queens, New York. It is best known for producing Caribbean singers.-The foundation:...
- Bun Them (1994), VP
- Rusty Magnum (1998), Slammin