Massive Dread

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Massive Dread's self-titled debut album (1979)

Massive Dread (born Dennis James, c.1960, Trenchtown, Jamaica) is a reggae deejay who first recorded in the late 1970s for Tapper Zukie,^[1] and came to prominence in the early 1980s, touring with Byron Lee and The Dragonaires.^[2] Dread also worked on Peter Metro's Metromedia sound system.^[3] He introduced the "bubbling" style of delivery, which was well received by audiences at events such as Reggae Sunsplash,^[2] and his album Strictly...Bubbling (on The Wailing Souls' The Up Front Organization label, and produced by Tommy Cowan's wife Velerie) capitalized on his popularity, including Jamaican chart-toppers such as "This Is Massive". Dread's links to The Wailing Souls saw him appear on a Tyne Tees Television documentary on reggae which was broadcast on The Tube, featuring Dread performing wearing his riding hat - the 'jockey-ride' being a popular dance at the time in the Jamaican dancehalls.^[2] A second album followed in 1984 with It's Massive, which provided the hits "Young Gal No Sell Your Body" and "Justice Love and Harmony". A further album, 2 Dread Inna Babylon, split with Ranking Dread, appeared in 2006, although it features Tapper Zukie productions from the later 1970s/early 1980s.

[edit] Album Discography

Massive Dread (1979, His Majesty)
2 Dread Inna Babylon (197x, re-released in 2006, Silver Kamel) (split with Ranking Dread)
Strictly...Bubbling (1982, The Up Front Organization)
It's Massive (1984, The Up Front Organization)