who had a CD before we
dropped one. We ended
up doing a lot of work
together and forming
kind of a collective called
13th tribe. They had the
first Jamaican hip-hop
video that I saw on local
TV. A lot of rappers have
had separate firsts since
then, but I regard them
as the firsts with TV and
radio play.
Five Steez: I’m not sure
if there has ever been
any “Godfather’”. DJ
Boyd was that in his
time, I guess, when he
was doing “Phat Block”
on Fame FM. He was
spinning a lot of local
Hip Hop and supporting the artistes however
he could. And at that
time, opportunities were
fewer. A show like “Pay
Attention” wasn’t in anyone’s thoughts... there
was no Internet... there
was just radio and everyone wanted to get signed
by a major label. The
game was different then.
In terms of a landmark
place, it would have to be
Gambling House Recording Studio. For over
a decade, it has accommodated multiple crews
and numerous rappers
and producers. I never
knew of the wider scene
till I started frequenting Gambling House 10
years ago. To this day, it’s
a space where Hip Hop
practitioners and lovers
are still getting a chance
to meet, reason and
work together.
Last, but not least,
if ever on a layover, like Anthony
Bourdain, what
is that “one spot,”
every visitor must
visit in Kingston
in your opinion?
Inztinkz: Port Royal
would be my first choice
or White Bones restaurant.
Sly Rankin: My spot in
Kingston to visit would
be in Harbor View by
the roundabout. You
said layover, and its right
by the airport. On week-