King Sporty
King Sporty (born Noel G. Williams, 1943, Port Antonio, Jamaica) is a Jamaican DJ, reggae musician, and record producer for the Tashamba and Konduko labels. He is best known for co-authoring the Bob Marley song, "Buffalo Soldier".
Biography
In his early days Sporty rose to become a studio sideman under Clement Dodd's tutelage at Studio One. In 1965 he released the track "El Cid", credited to King Sporty and Justin Yap.
In 1977 Sporty released an album, Mr. Rhythm on his own Konduko label.[1]
He later moved to Miami, Florida and began producing music there under his Tashamba and Konduko labels. He evolved from reggae to funk to disco to electro to Miami bass between the 1970s and 1980s. Sporty found lasting hits in the electro funk canon with Connie Case's "Get on Down" and "Haven't Been Funked Enough", under his Ex Tras moniker when he made licensing deals with Tommy Boy Records in 1982.
He released the track "Computer Age" in 1992 under the name Sporty and the Laptop.[2]
Sporty is married to the American soul and rhythm and blues singer, Betty Wright.
International Reggae and World Music Awards - IRAWMA honored Mr. Williams with their Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010.[3]
In 2013 Noel's song "Self Destruct" was sampled by Justin Timberlake for his song "That Girl" on his 20/20 Experience album.[4]
Group names used
- King Sporty & The Root Rockers
- King Sporty And The Ex Tras
- Noel Williams & The Extra Funk Factory
- Sporty & The Laptop
References
External links
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