Reggae artist Capleton gave a fiery performance at Rebel Salute last Sunday morning after which the DJ took some time to speak with WMV about his upcoming music as well as his time signed to DefJam in the 1990s.
King Shango says new music is on the way with a slew of artists both young and old.
“I am in the studio, have so much tracks it’s in the making and we know say it long overdue, I got lotta collab coming, I have collaborated with Beres, Sizzla, Bounty Killer, Chronixx, Kabaka, and a whole heap a upcoming youth,” he says.
Capleton was one of the most in demand acts in the 1990s and he was briefly signed to DefJam where he released two albums. As new artist emerge out of Jamaica intending on singing new record deals, the David House star gives a word of caution.
“Just know what you want and just be yourself, don’t let nobody convert you and change you, even if you haffi cross over musically you don’t haffi crossover physically as a person. I was there and them realize seh I am not one a Dem kinda hype person meh meh love to floss, worst I don’t even drink,” says the 55 year old.
The More Fire artist also says the DefJam didn’t have the wherewithal to market him to the right “grassroots” audiences in the 90s.
“Because its a 100% hip hop company them never really know how fi gimme dah market deh through grassroots, that’s why we did even end up back a VP, but as me seh anything for the music.”- Capleton
Still he gives the Universal Music Group subsidiary props for helping him to reach new audiences outside of the niche with his biggest hit:
“Big up DefJam same way because them really cross me over where even the kids in America singing ‘hold up wait a minute’,”
as he sings a few lines from his popular hit “Tour”.
Former record label A&R Christy Barber told WMV in a November 2021 interview that DefJam never really committed to reggae music and they only had a small appetite for the genre over the years.
“DefJam has always kind of had their pinky toe in the reggae pool. I don’t see that changing. The major labels just dip their pinky toe. Not since the early 90s when I started has any of these labels really deep dived into the genre.”
She also says artists from Jamaica do not need major labels,
“I don’t think Jamaican music needs the major labels. it’s such an influential genre and it’s gonna continue to be.”
In the 90s DefJam signed Capleton and released “Prophecy”, which peaked at number 65 on Billboard’s R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart in 1995 and I-Testament, released in 1997. Capleton also climbed the charts with the singles ‘Tour’ reaching number 57 on the Hot 100 Chart, ‘Wings of The Morning’ reaching number 79 and Heathen Rage peaked at number 79 on the R&B Hip Hop Songs Chart.
He has enjoyed other successes during his career with Grammy nominated albums with VP records, and world wide tours. Capleton’s annual ‘A St Mary Mi Come From’ live show has raised funds for several charities since it was first staged in 2000, including local schools and hospitals.
With a career spanning more than 30 years, Capleton is featured in DJ Khaled’s 2023 Grammy nominated album God Did on the track The Streets Know My Name with Skillibeng, Sizzla, Bounty Killer, and Buju Banton.
On the Rocnation artist’s previous album Khaled Khaled, the track Where You Come From also had Capleton along with Buju Banton, Barrington Levy, and Bounty Killer.
DefJam and Reggae
The company took a chance with a young Rihanna by releasing her debut single “Pon Di Replay” and launched her successful career.
DefJam also took a risk when the released Nas and Damian Marley’s “Distant Relatives” in 2010 which debuted at number five on the US Billboard 200 chart, after selling 57,000 copies in its first week.
Last May Ghanian singer StoneBwoy real name Livingstone Etse Satekla, signed to Def Jam Recordings’ African imprint and released the first single in the deal Theraphy.
Therapy via Def Jam Recordings, 0207 Def Jam and Def Jam Africa, is supported by UMG labels around the world . His album was set to drop mid-2022 according to a statement from the label but it is yet to be released or a date announced.
StoneyBwoy has collaborated with many dancehall and reggae acts including Beenie Man, Tarrus Riley and Sean Paul, Keri Wilson, Burna Boy, and many more.
The gave him a warm welcome via their social media: “We are buzzing as we welcome Ghanaian Afro-pop legend @stonebwoy to the Def Jam Recordings Africa Family. Stay tuned for fresh fire as he drops his brand-new single and lyric video, #Therapy.”
Stonebwoy’s signing announcement came on the heels of African Giant Burna Boy’s two night sold out
concert at Madison Square Garden last weekend that brought into focus the international appeal of African acts.
DefJam is set to announce its latest signing of a top dancehall artist in the coming weeks according to sources close to the matter.
Watch Capleton talk with WMV below:
