Chaka Demus

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Chaka Demus is a well known reggae musician and deejay, best known for a string of hits which enjoyed chart success in the 1990s, in both his native Jamaica and around the world. He is best known for the number one hit "Twist and Shout", a cover of the Isley Brothers song of the same name that featured Jack Radics and Sly & Robbie (under the name of Taxi Gang). He also teamed up with fellow Jamaican singer Pliers (singer) and they had a number one album in the United Kingdom with the re-issue of "Tease Me" and a reggae hit in 1992 with "Murder She Wrote".

[edit] Early Career

He was born as John Taylor in West Kingston, Jamaica in 1965. He began his career in music after being caught up in the sound system scene, working for various systems such as Jammy's and Supreme. He became well known under the name of Nicodemus Jr. (a tribute to 1980s deejay Nicodemus) but by the time in which he began to record, he changed his stage name to the more formal, Chaka Demus.

[edit] Rise To Fame

Upon releasing his debut single "Increase Your Knowledge" in 1985, he was virtually unknown and none of his early records saw chart success, but would later become huge hits in the unforeseen future. Other musicians quickly recognised him as having great potential, most notably Yellowman who joined him for such songs as "Everybody Loves Chaka", "Scotty", and "Bring It To Me" and Admiral Bailey, who collaborated with him on "One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer". After minor success, he moved to the Penthouse record label where he recorded the single "Chaka on the Move" but switched back to Jammy's the following year where he paired up with Shabba Ranks for the "Rough & Rugged" album. The same year saw the release of "Everybody Loves Chaka", for the Scorpio label, which was then followed up by the 1989 album, "The Original Chaka" on Witty.