Tappa Zukie

Tappa Zukie

Also known as: David Sinclair, Tapper Zukie

Tapper Zukie (or Tappa Zukie) (born David Sinclair, 1955, Kingston, Jamaica) is a reggae deejay and producer.

Biography
Tapper was the nickname given to him by his grandmother in his youth, while Zukie was a name that came from his friends' association as a young boy - their gang was called 'The Zukies'. In 1973 his mother, concerned with Zukie's tendency to get into trouble, sent him to England to stay with some relatives. Producer Bunny Lee arranged with the UK-based entrepreneur Larry Lawrence for him to undertake some recording sessions and concerts, opening for U-Roy the day after his arrival in London. Zukie's first release was the single "Jump & Twist", produced by Lawrence. Around this time he also recorded material for Clem Bushay, which would later form part of the Man Ah Warrior album, issued in 1973. Zukie returned to Jamaica, cutting "Judge I Oh Lord" for Lloydie Slim and "Natty Dread Don't Cry" for Lee. After an argument with Lee that resulted in the police being called, the two made peace with Lee giving Zukie some riddims to record over, and taking these and others from Joseph Hoo Kim, he toasted over them at King Tubby's studio, these forming the album MPLA (released in 1976). The Man Ah Warrior album had gained Zukie a cult following in the UK, and he returned there in 1975, releasing the track "MPLA" as a single, which was sufficiently successful for Klik to issue the album of the same name in the UK. One notable fan of MPLA was Patti Smith, who gave Zukie a support slot on her UK tour, reissued Man a Warrior on her Mer label, and contributed sleeve-notes to his 1977 album Man From Bosrah. Reviewing the 1977 reissue of Man a Warrior, Village Voice critic Robert Christgau said: "Dub has certain affinities with heavy metal, which may be why the only album of the stuff I've ever played much is Big Youth's first, Screaming Target, now five years old and never released in the States. Ace discophile Lenny Kaye has compiled this set from the same period, which means that the mix is less volcanic than in recent dub, the vocals more buoyant. Zukie's is fresh enough to really enjoy putting a rap down, too, so he doesn't sound doombound, verbally or musically. Sample segue: from 'Simpleton Badness' to 'Archie the Rednose Reindeer.'" This period of success allowed Zukie to set up his own 'Stars' record label, and he began to produce other artists, including Junior Ross & The Spear, Prince Alla, Errol Dunkley, Ronnie Davis, and Horace Andy. Two dub albums emerged in 1977: Escape From Hell and Tapper Zukie In Dub. A deal with Virgin Records subsidiary Frontline saw the release of two further albums in 1978 - Peace In The Ghetto and Tapper Roots, while he also continued to release records on his Stars label in Jamaica. After 1976, he concentrated on producing music in Jamaica, working with such reggae musicians as The Mighty Diamonds, Max Romeo, Ken Boothe, Sugar Minott and U-Roy. In 1978 he scored a big hit with "Oh Lord", which spent six weeks on top of the Jamaican charts. Also popular that summer was "She Want a Phensic". In the mid-1980s, Zukie was more prolific as a producer, working with artists such as The Mighty Diamonds, Sugar Minott, and Max Romeo. In 1986 he released a new album of his own, Raggamuffin. He continued to concentrate on production, although another album was released in 1996, Deep Roots. After suffering a "diabetic episode" in October 2015, Zukie was out of the public eye until he performed at a concert in December 2018. He stated in January 2019 that he was recording a new album and planned to perform in Europe in the summer.

Credits & Appearances (47)

Production
Arranger 1
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Reggae By Ruddy Thomas Ruddy Thomas Reggae By Ruddy Thomas LP 690 006 LP Friends 1983 1983
Producer 34
Comp. Dub Mix Up
Jamaican Recordings • 1975-79
M.P.L.A
Klik • 1976
Comp. Dub 'Em Zukie
Jamaican Recordings • 1976-79
Earth Running
Mobiliser • 1979
Rootsman Connection
Jamaican Recordings • 197X
Deep Roots
RAS • 197X-8X
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Man Ah Warrior Tappa Zukie Man Ah Warrior TJACD 135 CD Trojan 1973 2003
Musical Intimidator Tappa Zukie Musical Intimidator TJDDD 156 CD Trojan 1974-82 2004
Dub Mix Up King Tubby Dub Mix Up JRCD 016 CD Jamaican Recordings 1975-79 2004
Babylon Fall Junior Ross Babylon Fall MML 2516 LP Stars 1976 1976
Tapper Zukie In Dub Tappa Zukie Tapper Zukie In Dub SR 1000 LP Stars 1976
M.P.L.A Tappa Zukie M.P.L.A KLP 9022 LP Klik 1976 1976
Living In The Ghetto Tappa Zukie Living In The Ghetto LP Stars 1976-78
Dub 'Em Zukie Tappa Zukie Dub 'Em Zukie JRCD 015 CD Jamaican Recordings 1976-79 2004
I Can Hear The Children Singing Prince Alla & Junior Ross I Can Hear The Children Singing BAFCD 040 CD Blood And Fire 1976-79 2002
Escape From Hell Tappa Zukie Escape From Hell LP Stars 1977 1977
Tapper Roots Tappa Zukie Tapper Roots FL 1032 LP Virgin 1978 1978
The Man From Bozrah Tappa Zukie The Man From Bozrah LP 1002 LP Stars 1978 1978
Tappa Zukie International Tappa Zukie Tappa Zukie International SR 001 LP Stars 1978 1978
Blackman Tapper Zukie Blackman none LP Stars 1978 1978
Hail Dread Knowledge Hail Dread ALMH 68500 LP A&M 1978 1978
Natty Dread A Weh She Want Horace Andy Natty Dread A Weh She Want DSR 0785 LP New Star 1978 1978
Earth Running Tappa Zukie Earth Running MMLP 35 LP Mobiliser 1979 1983
Heaven Is My Roof Prince Alla Heaven Is My Roof TZ 005 LP New Star 1979 1978
Tapper Zukie Presents  Proud to Be Black Various Artists Tapper Zukie Presents Proud to Be Black TJCCD 198 CD Trojan 197X 2004
Songs From The Royal Throne Room Prince Alla Songs From The Royal Throne Room KSCD 030 CD Jamaican Recordings 197X 2012
2 Dread Inna Babylon Ranking Dread & Massive Dread 2 Dread Inna Babylon SKCD 028 CD Silver Kamel 197X 2006
From The Archives Tappa Zukie From The Archives RAS 3135 CD RAS 197X
Rootsman Connection Tapper Zukie & Friends Rootsman Connection KSCD 14 CD Jamaican Recordings 197X 2008
One Man Against the World Gregory Isaacs One Man Against the World VPCD 1476 CD VP 197X-8X 1996
Deep Roots Tappa Zukie Deep Roots RAS 3224 CD RAS 197X-8X 1996
Across The Line Jennifer Lara Across The Line none LP Tappa 1980 1980
Raggy Joey Boy Tappa Zukie Raggy Joey Boy IMLP 33 LP Stars 1982 1982
Leaders Of Black Countrys The Mighty Diamonds Leaders Of Black Countrys SRE 31 LP Mobiliser 1983 1983
Follow Instructions Cornell Campbell Follow Instructions SRE 30 LP Mobiliser 1983 1983
Reggae By Ruddy Thomas Ruddy Thomas Reggae By Ruddy Thomas LP 690 006 LP Friends 1983 1983
Line Up And Come U Roy Line Up And Come TZLP 001 LP Tappa 1987 1987
Don't You Know Ken Boothe Don't You Know LP Tappa 1987 1987
Roots Man Connection Various Artists Roots Man Connection TZ 006 LP Stars 198X
The Very Best Of Ruddy Thomas Ruddy Thomas The Very Best Of Ruddy Thomas MMLP 34 LP Mobiliser 198X 1983
Technicians
Mixing Engineer 1
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Green Valley Militant Barry Green Valley STLP 1012 LP Vista 1979 1979
Musicians
Percussions 1
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Raggy Joey Boy Tappa Zukie Raggy Joey Boy IMLP 33 LP Stars 1982 1982
Violin 1
Deep Roots
RAS • 197X-8X
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Deep Roots Tappa Zukie Deep Roots RAS 3224 CD RAS 197X-8X 1996
Vocals 7
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Living In The Ghetto Tappa Zukie Living In The Ghetto LP Stars 1976-78
Tappa Zukie International Tappa Zukie Tappa Zukie International SR 001 LP Stars 1978 1978
The Man From Bozrah Tappa Zukie The Man From Bozrah LP 1002 LP Stars 1978 1978
Blackman Tapper Zukie Blackman none LP Stars 1978 1978
From The Archives Tappa Zukie From The Archives RAS 3135 CD RAS 197X
The Best Of The Frontline Years Tappa Zukie The Best Of The Frontline Years CDFL 2024 CD Virgin 197X 2004
Cork And Tar Tappa Zukie Cork And Tar TZ 1001 CD Tappa 197X-8X 2004

Also Appears On (45)

Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Dubwise & Otherwise Various Artists Dubwise & Otherwise BFCDS 903 CD Blood And Fire 2000
A Place Called Jamaica Part 2 Various Artists A Place Called Jamaica Part 2 MKS 11 CD Makasound 196X-7X 2004
Trojan Explosion Various Artists Trojan Explosion TJCCD 141 CD Trojan 196X-8X 2004
Trojan Slack Reggae Box Set Various Artists Trojan Slack Reggae Box Set TJETD 348 CD Trojan 196X-8X 2007
Trojan Legends Box Set Various Artists Trojan Legends Box Set TJETD 271 CD Trojan 196X-9X 2005
Am I Black Enough For You Various Artists Am I Black Enough For You TJDCD 219 CD Trojan 1970-79 2004
Jesus Dread Yabby You & Various Artists Jesus Dread BAFCD 021 CD Blood And Fire 1972-77 1997
Roots From The Record Smith Various Artists Roots From The Record Smith DKR 213 LP DKR 1973-76 2022
Down In A Tenement Yard Various Artists Down In A Tenement Yard TJDDD 352 CD Trojan 1973-80 2007
If Deejay Was Your Trade Various Artists If Deejay Was Your Trade BAFCD 001 CD Blood And Fire 1974-77 1994
Dread Locks In Jamaica Various Artists Dread Locks In Jamaica LALP 05 LP Live And Love 1976 1976
I Can Hear The Children Singing Prince Alla & Junior Ross I Can Hear The Children Singing BAFCD 040 CD Blood And Fire 1976-79 2002
Front Line II Various Artists Front Line II FLB 3001 LP Virgin 1978 1978
Green Bay Killing Various Artists Green Bay Killing LP 56810 LP Pantomine 1978 1978
Hail Dread Knowledge Hail Dread ALMH 68500 LP A&M 1978 1978
Words Sounds And Power Knowledge Words Sounds And Power LP Tappa 1978 1978
12'' Reggae Discomix Showcase Vol. 5 Joe Gibbs 12'' Reggae Discomix Showcase Vol. 5 VPCD 4169 CD 17 North Parade 197X 2010
Barry Myers Presents Scratchy Sounds Various Artists Barry Myers Presents Scratchy Sounds TJDDD 218 CD Trojan 197X 2004
Bunny Striker Lee : The Cool Operator Various Artists Bunny Striker Lee : The Cool Operator GUMSCDXX020 CD Smugg 197X 2003
Creation Rebel DJ Spooky & Various Artists Creation Rebel CD Trojan 197X 2007
DJ Spooky Presents Riddim Come Forward Various Artists DJ Spooky Presents Riddim Come Forward TJDDD 334 CD Trojan 197X 2006
Dub Massive Chapter 1 Various Artists Dub Massive Chapter 1 TJCCD 255 CD Trojan 197X 2005
Heavyweight Sound Various Artists Heavyweight Sound BAFCD 007 CD Blood And Fire 197X 1995
Jamaican Recordings Dub Sampler Vol 2 Various Artists Jamaican Recordings Dub Sampler Vol 2 JRCD 018 CD Jamaican Recordings 197X 2004
Scratchy Sounds Various Artists Scratchy Sounds TJDDD 218 CD Trojan 197X 2004
Songs From The Royal Throne Room Prince Alla Songs From The Royal Throne Room KSCD 030 CD Jamaican Recordings 197X 2012
Step Forward Youth Various Artists Step Forward Youth VPGS 7059 CD Greensleeves 197X 2018
The Bunny Striker Lee Story Various Artists The Bunny Striker Lee Story CRCDB 3138 CD Jet Star 197X 2005
The Front Line Box Set Various Artists The Front Line Box Set 8106782 CD Virgin 197X 2004
This Is Crucial Reggae Dub Various Artists This Is Crucial Reggae Dub RAS 80464 CD RAS 197X 2004
Travelling Burning Spear & Friends Travelling CD Clocktower 197X 2001
Trojan Rockers Box Set Various Artists Trojan Rockers Box Set TJETD 338 CD Trojan 197X 2006
Trojan Roots Reggae Boxset Various Artists Trojan Roots Reggae Boxset TJETD 296 CD Trojan 197X 2005
Trojan Selecta Vol 2 Various Artists Trojan Selecta Vol 2 TJJCD 315 CD Trojan 197X 2006
Trojan Selecta Vol 3 Various Artists Trojan Selecta Vol 3 TJJCD 322 CD Trojan 197X 2006
Trojan Selecta Vol 7 Various Artists Trojan Selecta Vol 7 TJJCD 372 CD Trojan 197X 2007
Trojan Dub Rarities Box Set Various Artists Trojan Dub Rarities Box Set TJETD 278 CD Trojan 197X-8X 2005
Trojan Ganja Reggae Box Set Various Artists Trojan Ganja Reggae Box Set TJETD 102 CD Trojan 197X-8X 2003
Trojan Roots and Culture Box Set Various Artists Trojan Roots and Culture Box Set TJETD 226 CD Trojan 197X-8X 2005
Trojan Tribute To Bob Marley Box Set Various Artists Trojan Tribute To Bob Marley Box Set TRBCD 006 CD Trojan 197X-8X 1999
Trojan Selecta Vol 5 Various Artists Trojan Selecta Vol 5 TJJCD 439 CD Trojan 197X-9X 2007
Late Night Movie Lui Lepki Late Night Movie DB2CD 149 CD Doctor Bird 1981 2024
1985 Master Mega Hits Vol 2 Various Artists 1985 Master Mega Hits Vol 2 LP Jammys 1985 1985
Line Up And Come U Roy Line Up And Come TZLP 001 LP Tappa 1987 1987
Roots Man Connection Various Artists Roots Man Connection TZ 006 LP Stars 198X
20 albums
47 credits
16 labels
1973 - 2012