Massive Dread

Massive Dread

Massive Dread (born Dennis James; c. 1960 - 1994) was a reggae deejay who first recorded in the late 1970s for Tapper Zukie and came to prominence in the early 1980s, touring with Byron Lee and The Dragonaires. Dread also worked on Peter Metro's Metromedia sound system.

Biography He introduced the "bubbling" style of delivery, which was well received by audiences at events such as Reggae Sunsplash, and his album Strictly...Bubbling (on The Wailing Souls' The Up Front Organization label, and produced by Tommy Cowan's wife Velerie) capitalized on his popularity, including Jamaican chart-toppers such as "This Is Massive". Dread's links to The Wailing Souls saw him appear on a Tyne Tees Television documentary on reggae which was broadcast on The Tube, featuring Dread performing wearing his riding hat - the 'jockey-ride' being a popular dance at the time in the Jamaican dancehalls. A second album followed in 1984 with It's Massive, which provided the hits "Young Gal No Sell Your Body" and "Justice Love and Harmony". A further album, 2 Dread Inna Babylon, split with Ranking Dread, appeared in 2006, although it features Tapper Zukie productions from the later 1970s/early 1980s. In November 1993 Massive Dread, among others, started working on the Trenchtown Reading Centre - a community project designed to improve literacy and learning for the children of Trenchtown. The reading centre was completed in December and Massive Dread entertained at the opening as a deejay and selector. In 1994, Massive Dread was shot and killed. Geoffrey Alex Domenico alleged it was for publicly speaking out against the JLP political authorities.

Album discography Massive Dread (1979, His Majesty) 2 Dread Inna Babylon (2006, Silver Kamel) (split with Ranking Dread) Strictly...Bubbling (1982, The Up Front Organization) It's Massive (1984, The Up Front Organization)

Discography (5)

Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Massive Dread Massive Dread Massive Dread HMLP 1001 LP His Majesty 1979 1979
2 Dread Inna Babylon Ranking Dread & Massive Dread 2 Dread Inna Babylon SKCD 028 CD Silver Kamel 197X 2006
Strictly ... Bubbling Massive Dread Strictly ... Bubbling UFO LP 001 LP Up Front Organization 1982 1982
It's Massive Massive Dread It's Massive UPFLP 10 LP Upfront 1983 1983
This Is Massive Massive Dread This Is Massive NYA 2312 CD Nyam Up 198X 1998

Credits & Appearances (4)

Musicians
Vocals 4
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Massive Dread Massive Dread Massive Dread HMLP 1001 LP His Majesty 1979 1979
2 Dread Inna Babylon Ranking Dread & Massive Dread 2 Dread Inna Babylon SKCD 028 CD Silver Kamel 197X 2006
Strictly ... Bubbling Massive Dread Strictly ... Bubbling UFO LP 001 LP Up Front Organization 1982 1982
This Is Massive Massive Dread This Is Massive NYA 2312 CD Nyam Up 198X 1998

Also Appears On (2)

5 albums
4 credits
5 labels
1979 - 2006