Roots Archives Forum

Hello. Does anybody have any info on the Clappers label? I am familiar with the LPs by General Plough and Jah Malla, but haven't heard of the other releases listed here on Roots Archives. Just curious to know who was behind this label.

Thanks,
BC

the label was done by a Jamaican guy named Lister Hewan-Lowe, after he came to NYC. apparently he worked at Island Records before he started the label.

in addition to the reggae records listed on Roots Archives, there at least two hip-hop records on the label -

Brother D and the Collective Effort "how we gonna make the black nation rise" 12"
and
She "Ms. DJ Rap It Up!" 12"

the Brother D record is really great early hip-hop, and is featured on the Soul Jazz comp "Big Apple Rappin': Early Days of hip-hop culture in NYC 1979-1982". there's an interview w/ the Clappers guy in the booklet.

the SHE record is OK but not as good.

if anyone knows more hip-hop records on the label, i would love to know.

Their Phone number only goes to voice mail and they never reply

Hey Rob B,

After doing a search, it looks like Clappers resurfaced in 1990/91 with a few hip-hop releases by a group called 2 Black 2 Strong MMG. I have not heard of them before, but that is around the time that I stopped collecting hip-hop records.

BC

Black Slavery Days and (I think) Jack Ruby Hi Fi Showcase were rereleased recently. I also have a 12" single by a group called Sons of Creation, one side of which features an interesting exchange by a JA dj and NY rapper. It probably came out in the early 80's.

Clappers released a few LPs:
GENERAL PLOUGH: Midnight Rock
JAH MALLA: Alive And Well
BLACK SLAVERY DAYS (various)
JACK RUBY HIFI (various)
JUNIOR DAN: KTW Dub
JUVENILE DELINQUENTS (Barrett)
IHEKA-CHAMA: Mandingo Tribe
YABBY YOU: African Queen
and I know the
SONS OF CREATION (feeling down a yard) 12"
and a
BUCKERS (violent times) 12".

Just to add - the NICODEMUS LP on Clappers I have never heard about.

Nicodemus "A Nice Up The Dance" from 1983 was manufactured and distributed by Clappers Records.
The record actually is on the (only-made-for-this-one ?) Leaf of Life label and is a Channel One record produced by Morwells.
http://www.roots-archives.com/release/2327
It features some different mixes to this one
http://www.roots-archives.com/release/3114

there's the Neville Tate - Change Your Character (1982, Clappers) 12 inch as well.

I bought N. Tate still sealed for $6 and Nicodemus still sealed for $10. Both are fantastic.

I've got a Clappers discography laying around. I'll post it when I get the time.