| In 1993 a DJ called Frisco Kid,
took the market of hard-core Reggae lovers by an "atomic explosion". Steven
Webley Wray A.K.A. Frisco Kid was born to Ruby and Wilbert Wray on February 12, 1972 at
the Jubilee Hospital. The last son of 12 Children, Frisco knows what it is to be a part of
the crowd. He spent most of his life growing up in Downtown Kingston, Tivoli Gardens, and
Greenridge Farms. This environment gave him exposure the the numerous sound systems that
played out in the innercities of Kingston, Jamaica. Frisco youthful memories involve his
admiration of Bob Marley and strumming some of the legends inspirational songs. As he
entered his teens, he began to develop an interest in Dancehall DJ's like Papa San, Ricky
Stereo, Lt. Stitchie, Admiral Bailey, and Johnny P. After
moving to Garvey Meade, Portmore in 1985, Frisco's desire to become a DJ began taking
form. Friends such as Fraggy Dumper, Banton, and Pisner encouraged and assisted him in
making his aspirations come true. Sound systems such as Klassique, Klimax, Syndicate, Love
Child disco, and Xanadoo would play regularly. "Dem would a boost up the selectors to
give mi di mike", he states.
Along with being a DJ and songwriter, Frisco is also a
skilled auto mechanic. "Mi fatha always a seh bwoy go learn a trade, so mi tek him
advice and go learn di mechanic trade." Wondering how he got the moniker "Frisco
Kid"? The artist responds, "Well mi get dat name from a drink mi did love,
'Frisco Royal', from mi a school". The name stuck with him over the years, assisted
by the memories of childhood friends.
His musical explosion started when he recorded his first
song in 1992, "Some Gal Caan Go Dance Again"; which was done on the punani
rhythm and released on the Shocking Vibes labels with producer Patrick Roberts. Frisco has
since been mashing up the scene with recordings for various labels. Among them are Arrows,
Collin Fats, Mad House, Bobby Digital, and Shocking Vibes. His rhythms include hits like
"Punani Answer", "Pepperseed", "Heartbeat", and
"Hotness".
Frisco remembers when he was recording what the people
didn't want to hear: "All dem voice mi did a voice, is as if mi neved did a seh weh
di people dem want mi fi seh, suh till mi draw fi 'Big Speech' fi Mad House pon di
Pepperseed rhythm. He now claims numerous succesful songs with huge popularity and heavy
air play. Songs like "Gal Yu Nuh Hide", "Dappa", "Big
Speech", "Sex" (with Powerman),"Wicked Man" (a duet with
Buccaneer), "The News", "Step Up Inna Life", "X-amount of
Grand", "Matie Careless", etc... As you can clearly see this artist is
accomplished.
Speaking on the influence on Reggae Frisco states,
"All di youth dem fi do is just listen music an dance an nuh falla wat di DJ dem seh
cause is just words speaking." He writes his own songs showcasing his unique style.
On the origin of his lyrical inspiration he says, "If I go out dere so as I deh pon I
cawna an I go seh some gal full a big speech but dem backitive weak, is only who deh
yah-so a go hear. So di best ting fi people hear wat a gwaan is fi put it pon plastic mek
it go out dere worldwide." He noted that "Big Speech" was not only for the
girls with merely big speech, but also for the influential public figures/politicians who
have poor people living off promises, with no backitive (fulfillment of these promises).
The Kid has "nuff respect" for DJ's like Buju
Banton, Terror Fabulous, Powerman, Baby Wayne, Capleton, Roundhead, Spragga Benz, and
Bounty Killa. He pointed out that were it not for Roundhead he wouldn't have voiced his
first tune. "So nuff respect to dem man deh an also Michael Buckley who big mi up wen
nutt'n neva did a gwaan."
Frisco's advice to everyone is: "Keep far from
drugs" and "to all a di youth dem weh a stray mi a beg unna pull unna socks an
tink things over. A time fi wi start live as one togeda cause wi all black brotha an
sista. So to all mi fans may Jah Rastafari bless yu all."
Copyright Spider Consulting Inc Article
By Karim Kameka.
Visit His Site For More On Dancehall |