Shinehead marks the 40th anniversary of his debut record “Billie Jean,” a dub cover of Michael Jackson’s track that launched his career from sound systems to international stardom. Released on the African Love label in 1984, Shinehead’s “Billie Jean” and its accompanying riddim played a crucial role in the evolution of Reggae and Dancehall music overseas.
Born in England and raised in Jamaica and the Bronx, Shinehead began his career with Tony Screw’s Downbeat the Ruler sound system before joining African Love. His unique blend of rapid-fire deejaying, pop ballads, hip-hop style rapping, and whistling set him apart. This versatility was showcased in “Billie Jean,” which quickly became a favorite among fans and sound boys alike.
The record featured Shinehead’s distinctive voice and a profound admiration for pop excellence, including a notable cover of UK R&B artist Junior’s “Mama Used to Say” on the flip side. Both tracks used different mixes of the same minimal riddim, characterized by a drum machine pattern, heavy snare accents, offbeat fills, keyboard stabs, and a powerful bassline.
Shinehead’s transformation of two major US radio hits into his unique style earned him widespread acclaim. Following the success of “Billie Jean,” he released his debut album “Rough & Rugged” in 1986, which included another Michael Jackson cover, “Lady in My Life.” The release of the album led to a record label deal with Elektra Records, making Shinehead the first New York-based Reggae artist to achieve this milestone.
In addition to celebrating “Billie Jean,” 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of his album “Troddin” and the 25th anniversary of “Praises.” Shinehead, who released “Never Had a Dream Come True” and “The Makings of You” during the pandemic, plans to release new music this year and is eyeing a Rocksteady project. He also aims to perform more live shows, fueled by the success of his “Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise.”
