Roots Archives Forum

U Roy is the father but I think IRoy is the better DJ. I like U Roy but I think I Roy has better lyrics and better enunciation. Sometimes I think URoy is kind of mush mouthed in his delivery like making it hard to hear his lyrics so he can kind of skate through if he loses his lyrical train.
I'm sure this statement will have its detractors. So, for the sake of debate, let's have it out:
Who do you prefer between URoy and IRoy? Give me some specific tunes to justify your opinions. I know it's kind of sacrilege to say anything against URoy, and I do like him well enough,
I just think, though IRoy is often labelled an imitator, he improved on what URoy was doing.

I find I Roy annoying most of the time
U-Roy I think I prefer
Big Joe is amazing
Trinity is the best DJ

I can't understand what U-Roy is saying most of the time.

I-Roy is the deejay I mostly draw of the two when it comes to listening to an album/single here at home. Doesn't say anything about who's best or not but at least who I rather hear chatting most often. I feel a bit guilty in a way comparing two brilliant artists though. Wouldn't want to hurt U-Roy's feelings if he ever surfed over here.

OK, kind of a dumb thread, I admit. It's all subjective. I guess I just feel like I should like URoy more than I do. And the main reason I don't is I can't hear his lyrics very often, and since I can hear DJ lyrics fairly well most of the time, I wonder if he's actually saying anything or just sort of slurring his speech. Of course, I can hear some of his lyrics.

I would say I like IRoy better even though he's the follower because of his lyrics and voice.

But I'm curious @congo bunny why you prefer Trinity to Big Youth

Got lots of respect for both of them.
I-Roy got a special humour I like. Remember his battle with the mighty Prince Jazzbo.

Both are cool
cause they´re
old skool
as I would say....

I Roy was definitely the most eloquent DJ.

If you ask the generation of DJs who have followed them about "influence", all or almost all will cite U-Roy as a major influence, and nary a one will cite I-Roy.

One is ultra-cool, the other one ultra-clever.....it's really like comparing apples and oranges.

yes I Roy truly a clever man, I particularly like his lyric that goes "bum diddley widdley piddley etc" on the album he did with Dennis Bovell

Sorry but I Roy is totally over rated

@davek : thanks, as you often do you managed to clarify something for me. I mean, I can understand why IRoy wouldn't be cited as an influence since he wasn't much of an innovator, but U-Roy's style and approach, coolness etc., I can see why that would be a bigger influence than clever lyrics as well