| Kemar McGregor | |
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McGregor in his studio |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Kemar McGregor |
| Also known as | DJ Flava Flava McGregor |
| Born | June 20, 1980 Kingston, Jamaica, W.I. |
| Origin | Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies |
| Genres | Reggae |
| Occupations | Producer, Songwriter, Sound Engineer, Music Retailer |
| Years active | 1999–present |
| Labels | No Doubt Records, Flava McGregor Records |
| Website | flavamcgregor.com |
Kemar McGregor (Born June 20, 1980), also known by his nicknames, DJ Flava and Flava McGregor, is a Jamaican-American roots reggae producer. He has recorded and produced music for the most renowned artists in the roots reggae industry, including Sizzla, Marcia Griffiths, Beenie Man, Maxi Priest, Wayne Wonder, Buju Banton, Capleton, Sanchez, Freddie McGregor, Luciano, Sugar Minott, Barrington Levy, Gregory Isaacs, Morgan Heritage, Half Pint, Tanya Stephens, Gyptian, Beres Hammond, Glen Washington, Etana and Cocoa Tea, among many others.[1] McGregor is the owner and Chief Executive Officer of Flava McGregor Records.
Kemar McGregor was born in the Community 7 section of Kingston, and grew up in Montego Bay, Jamaica.[2] He worked as a radio deejay on Irie FM 105.5 in Ocho Rios, and later on RJR 94 FM in Kingston, before founding his first recording label, No Doubt Records, in 2001. McGregor’s smooth, seamless mixing style earned him the nickname “Flava” among established Jamaican selectors, prompting McGregor to adopt the radio pseudonym “DJ Flava.”[3]
McGregor began producing roots reggae in 1999.[4] The first song he produced was Turbulence’s lovers rock single, “Name and Number.” In 2001, he produced two Sizzla albums, “Speak of Jah” and “Brighter Day;” he produced Anthony B’s “Smoke Free” album; and also produced Luciano’s “Upright” LP, which was named “album of the month” on the German reggae charts in the year 2001.[5]
In 2005, VP Records began licensing McGregor’s albums, beginning with Gyptian’s debut LP, “My Name Is Gyptian.” Since then, his tracks have been featured on many VP Records albums, including Richie Spice’s “Gideon Boot,” Etana’s “Strong One,” Morgan Heritage’s “Mission in Progress,” Gyptian’s “I Can Feel Your Pain,” Beres Hammond’s “Moment In Time,” Fantan Mojah's “Stronger,” and Queen Ifrica’s “Montego Bay.”
He has produced tracks for many various-artist compilations for VP Records, Cousins Records, Tad’s Records and Greensleeves Records, including:
Triumphant Riddim (Greensleeves 2006), Trumpet Riddim (Cousins 2007), Key Riddim (Cousins 2007), Flute Riddim (Cousins 2007), 83 Riddim (Greensleeves 2007), Rub a Dub Riddim (VP Records 2008), Drop It Riddim (Tad’s Records 2008), Rocksteady Riddim (VP Records 2008), Sweet Riddim (VP Records 2009), Ghetto Riddim (VP Records 2009), Classic Riddim (VP Records 2010).
Many of McGregor’s songs were selected for VP Records’ greatest-hits compilation series, “Strictly the Best,” “Reggae Gold” and “Songs for Reggae Lovers;” Greensleeves Records’ “Reggae One Drop Anthems” series; and Cousins Records “Strictly One Drop,” and “Strictly Lovers Rock” series.
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McGregor has been nominated for the EME “Reggae Producer of the Year” award every year since 2007, and was also nominated for “Reggae Riddim of the Year” in 2008 and 2011.[6][7][8][9] He was nominated for “Reggae Producer of the Year” at the New York IRAMA Awards show in 2008, and was nominated for “Reggae Producer of the Year” in the JOE HIGGS MUSIC AWARDS (JHMA) in 2008.[10] In addition, McGregor is the first roots reggae producer to dominate the Foundation Radio Network’s New York Top 30 chart and South Florida Top 20 chart by having six songs listed on both charts simultaneously.[11]
Contrary to popular rumors, Kemar McGregor is not the son of legendary reggae vocalist Freddie McGregor. In response to several internet media reports claiming him to be the son of Freddie McGregor, Kemar replied, “I don't know what else to do ... it happens here in Jamaica, it happens overseas. I am at the airport in New York and the immigration people tell me 'I listen to your dad's songs, he's good'. And when I say, 'He's not my dad,' they give me a strange look, so sometimes I just leave it alone.”[12]
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