About this Kane FM story
Jah Screechy, Jah Walk N Skank Screechy is one of the most sampled sound system DJ’s on the circuit.
How it all started
Humbly with a little known sound system called Black Lion in North West London with Bikey Dread. Both would go and listen to their favourite sound system, Sir Coxsone of Brixton, one of UKs most popular during the 1970’s - 1980’s.
Bikey Dread, joined Sir Coxsone, whilst Jah Screechy went along to witness some of the biggest sound system clashes of, Fatman, King Tubby’s, as well as watching the Sir Coxsone DJs, Bikey Dread, General Dan, Levi Roots, Duffus Irie, with sound operators and selectors, Gappy and Blacker Dread, using their skills to keep the dance sweet.
A piece of history and Screechy’s naming ceremony
Most DJ’s started out as “Box Boys’, carrying huge speakers into venues, just to get into dances for free.
Whilst and during packing up at Acton Town Hall after a dance with Fatman and King Tubby, Screechy took a short break from packing up. He was caught out by one of the Sir Coxsone members, who said, “ see him a screechy” Bikey Dread, General Dan, Levi Roots, and Duffus Irie then said…his name is Screechy. Henceforth he became known as, Screechy Banton, Jah Screechy, Jah Screechy Banton, Jah Walk n Skank Screechy.
Jah Screechy says, he always wanted to be a DJ as a child, and most certainly never thought he would DJ for a great sound like Sir Coxsone.
Moving along…
Once accepted as part of Sir Coxsone, and inspired by other DJ’s, Screechy started and ended the dances, on the microphone, although not as a main DJ. It was only a matter of time before he was holding down his own with the Sir Coxsone crew, Lloyd and Festus Coxsone and other members, touring the whole of the UK and parts of Europe. Mixed crowds were pulled into the Sir Coxsone dances, playing Reggae, Soul and Soca.
To name a few
Jah Screechy has been so fortunate to have met and worked with superstar musicians/ artists such as Dennis Brown, Delroy Wilson, Frankie Paul, Willi Williams, Don Carlos, Junior Reid, Sugar Minott, Barrington Levy, Super Cat, Tenor Fly, Channel One and more.
Walk n Skank, born on Sir Coxsone Soundsystem
In 1984, whilst Jah Screechy was on the microphone, to a ram filled crowd at the Peoples Club, Paddington, London, run by Castro Brown. Blacker Dread whispered, Screechy, see the new dance. ‘Walk and Skank‘. Screechy dropped the lyrics on the mic, there and then.
The very next day
Jah Screechy was in the studio recording with Blacker Dread, and Peter Chemist.
Jah Screechys‘ breakthrough track took the Dancehall scene by storm, became an anthem and is still played today, at dances, on the radio, and in TV advertising. This same track has also been remixed and covered versions by various artists. The best known has to be, ‘On a Ragga Tip‘ by SL2.
Praise and blessed love
Jah Screechy gives thanks, praise and blessed love to the Sir Coxsone crew.
First ever Record
A Dubplate for Sir Coxsone with Willi Williams, Adam & Eve.
Some others
Shadow Move, Hopscotch, the notorious, ‘Walk and Skank‘
Jah Screechy still going strong …
All over Europe including France, Germany, The Netherlands, Le Reunion Island - Indian Ocean, and all over London, as well as working with Reality Shock, Jahtari, Cubiculo, Red Eye Hifi, Kris Chemist, Digital Steppaz and more.
Not forgetting one of the original Sir Coxsone sound engineers, Jessus, a friendship still going, so strong.
The 1-1-1 Sessions crew on Kane FM has been pulling up the Screechy vibes, and are pleased to say on the 8th July 2017, Jah Screechy will pull up the vibe ‘live’ not only on the 1-1-1 Sessions Show but as our special guest MC for our July 2017, Dub By The River.
Jah Screechy is back on the scene and ready for us all”.
In his own words..
“Jah Screechy back pon da scene an ready fi dem.”
Join us wherever you can, and let us Walk n Skank all over the land, with Jah Screechy…. Pure Fyah!!!
