Barrington Ainsworth Levy (born 30 April 1964) is a Jamaican reggae and dan… Read Full Bio ↴Barrington Ainsworth Levy (born 30 April 1964) is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall artist.
Born in Kingston, Jamaica, as a youngster, Barrington Levy formed the Mighty Multitude with his cousin Everton Dacres. They started off playing the sound systems and cut their first single, βMy Black Girl,β in 1977. All of 14, Levy broke out his own the next year and recorded his debut solo single, A Long Time Since We Donβt Have No Love.β It didnβt have much of an impact, however the teenβs appearances in the dancehalls were eagerly awaited events. It was at one of these that Levy met former singer turned producer Junjo Lawes and Mew York-based producer Hyman βJah Lifeβ Wright. The pair took the youth into King Tubbyβs studio, accompanied by the Roots Radics, and recorded a clutch of cuts. The first fruits of this union were βAh Yah We Deh,β quickly followed by βLooking My Loveβ, and β Wedding Ring Aside.β Success was immediate, but it was the mighty βCollie Weedβ that really cemented the teenβs hold of dancehall.
βShine Eye Girlβ, was a smash follow up, and the young Levy was now in great demand. A stream of singles followed βJumpy Girlβ, a lovely version of Horace Andyβs βSkylarkingβ, βReggae Musicβ, Levy joined forces with producer Alvin Ranglin for another sting of hitsββNever Tear My Love Apart,β βJahβ, βYou Made Me So Happy,β and βWhen Youβre Young and in Love.βLevyβs rich vocals were made for duets, both with other vocalists and DJβs , and it wasnβt long before the young star was also recording collaborative singles. Toyan was a great foil on βCall You on the Phoneββ, he paired with Jah Thomas on βMoonlight Loverβ and βSister Debbyβ, and joined forces with Trinity for βLose Respectβ and a follow-up, βI Need a Girlβ in 1980. That same year, Levy made a sensational appearance at Reggae Sunsplash, then returned in 1981. During these early years, the singer seemingly spent all of his time between the recording studios and the dancehalls. Amidst the deluge of singles, four albums arrived as well between 1979 and 1980. First up was Bounty Hunter, which boosted three smash singlesββReggae Musicβ, βShine Eye Girlβ, and βLooking My Loveβ βand a clutch of other tracks that were just about as good. In Britain, the Burning Sounds label released Shine Eye Gal, also a hits heavy package which included the title track-track, βCollie Weedβ, and βAh Yah We Deh.β It was swiftly followed by the mighty Englishman, an absolutely fabulous record which was overseen by the unbeatable studio grouping of Junjo Lawes and two of King Tubbyβs protΓ©gΓ©sβScientist and Prince Jammy. A veteran of the clubs, he brought the spontaneity of the DJ to his records while returning vocals back to the sound system scene which had been purely the realm of the Djs. Utilizing old roots rhythms revitalized by the Radics, and giving the songs a hard, but danceable edge, Lawes and Levy together helped establish a whole new dancehall sound.
1980βs Robin Hood merely affirmed that everyone in Jamaica already knew: That Levy was now the biggest star on t he island, with a talent that was unbeatable. Or more accurately, he was king of the singers, because ruling beside him was DJ Yellowman, another Lawesβ discovery, that was brought to him by Barrington Levy. Robin Hood was as big as its predecessor and was beginning to have an impact in Britain as well, where both it and Englishman had been released by the Greensleeves label. Not surprisingly, both albums heavy rhythms would provide the building blocks for the Scientist V Prince Jammy dub clash album. Unfortunately, Levyβs very popularity was now beginning to have some serious drawbacks. Even before stardom arrived, the singer had noticed with delight fans tapping his sets at the dancehalls, and these tapes were coming back to haunt him. Suddenly, the shelves were buckling under the weight of the bootlegged albums, featuring not just older pirated live material, but also unreleased outtakes and recycled older singles. In response, Levy didnβt release a new album for two years, but in the meantime, new singles more then made up for it. From 1980 came such hits as the haunting Lawes-produced βMary Long Tongueβ producer Linval Thompsonβs βToo Poor,β and a string if hits cut with Karl Pitterson, including β I Have a Problemβ and βEven Tide Fire a Disasterβ. And as the decade progressed, the flood hits continued. βIβm Not in Loveβ, βYou Have Itβ, βTomorrow Is Another Dayβ, βRobbermanβ, βBlackRoseβ βMy Womenβ, and βMoney Moveβ were just a small number of the hits released between 1981 and 1983, with the latter song the biggest smash of the batch. Levy even tried his hand at self-production, recording such excellent songs as βIn the Darkβ and βLove of Jah.β Amongst there were fabulous singles recorded for Joe Gibbs, βMy Womenβ included. The Reggae Vibes album would bundle up Levyβs best with the producer, s well a number of cuts from fellow dancehall singer Sammy Dread.
1983 finally saw the release of Levy album βMoney Moveβ. The latter was excellently overseen by George Phang and boasted a stupendous group of rhythms that Sly & Robbie had specifically made for the producer. In the U.K, the burning sounds label also released Hunter Man, a greatest-hits collection. But the hits were still coming on strong; in 1984 none were bigger then Levy and Jah Screw produced βUnder Mi Sensi.β The pair would also record a new album that year, Here I come, whose title-track would the top 50 in the U.K The album itself took Britain by storm and ensured that Levy walked away with the best Vocalist Award at Britainβs Reggae Awards. It was also these songs that secured his spot in the Guinness Book of World Records, as the first reggae artist to hold both 1st and 2nd place slots in the charts. The same year, the singer also joined forces with another young singer who was tearing up the dance floors, Frankie Paul, for the intriguing sound clash set Barrington Levy meets Frankie Paul. 1985 brought Prison Oval Rock (the Volcano Jamaican label release, and not to be confused with the RAS labelβs U.S. compilation of the same title), which found the singer joining forces with Lawes again, for another roots-fired set equal to its predecessors. It had been six years since Levy burst onto the scene with all the force of a nuclear weapon. Now in his early twenties, the singerβs output significantly began to slow. He did return to Reggae Sunsplash in 1987 and would remain a top attraction at the festival until 1985. He also released βLove the Life you Liveβ in 1988, a rather patchy effort compared to previous releases. It was to be his last new album until 1991.But Levy wasnβt a spent force yet. Before the 80βs were over, he scored tow more hits with βMy Timeβ and βToo Experienceβ, both under the aegis of producer Jah Screw, and both covers of songs written by Bob Andy (ex-Paragons and also of Bob & Marcia fame).
Signing with MCA in t he U.S., Levy attempted to cross over into the North American market with 1983βs Barrington. Produced by Lee Jaffe, the Album featured a re-recorded βUnder Mi Sensiβ, and boasted strong songs as βMurdererβ and βVice Versa Loveβ and βBe Strongβ, a major hit in the Caribbean and South America. However, the relationship with MCA was not a happy one and Levy quickly departed. Meanwhile, back in Britain, the singer was chalking up another hit with βWorkβ. In 1994, Levy was joined by Beenie man on the singles βTwo Soundsβ and βMurdererβ. Both soon reappeared as fiery jungles remixes, with βSensiβ, in particular, mashing up the dance floors.
Under Jack Scorpioβs direction, the singer next paired with Mega Banton for βSheβs Mineβ. Jah Screw took these collaborations to the next logical step, and recorded an entire album and recorded and entire album of shared songs, Duets (this is its American title and it was released in the U.s. by RAS, and in the U.K., Levyβs relationship with Greensleeves continued, where the album there was titled Barrington Levyβs DJ Counteraction). From this set, βLiving Dangerouslyβ with Bounty Killer rocketed up the Jamaican charts and set pace at clubs around the world . Time Capsule came hot on its heels in 1996, a short album (a mere eight tracks plus five dubs), which more than made up for lack of quantity with quality.Over the next two years, his circle of friends was obviously growing, and 1998βs re-make of βMurdererβ featured such diverse artists as rap master Snoop Doggy Dogg and Southern California punk-reggae heroes Long Beach Dub All-Stars. In 2003, his debut album Bounty Hunter was reordered and reissued as Moonlight Lover on the Burning Bush label. Two years later, the Sanctuary label collected his recordings with Henry Lawes and Alvin Ranglin for βLove Your Brother man: The Early Tearβ. Numerous compilations have continued to appear featuring much of the singerβs greatest work.He was also featured in 2000 on rapper on Shyneβs debut album βBad Boyzβ, with two singles βBad Boyzβ which was number 1 on the hip-hop charts, and βBonnie and Shynz.
Barrington Levy continues to tour extensively, selling out shows all over the world. He is currently working in an album which will be titled βIts About Timeβ and he has said it will be his last. This album will feature artist like Damion Marley, Buji Banton, Beres Hammond, Heavy D and a lot more surprises. He expresses love and appreciation to all his fans across the world, and looks forward to seeing you in future events.
Levy's son Krishane is also a musician, and is signed to Atlantic Records.
Born in Kingston, Jamaica, as a youngster, Barrington Levy formed the Mighty Multitude with his cousin Everton Dacres. They started off playing the sound systems and cut their first single, βMy Black Girl,β in 1977. All of 14, Levy broke out his own the next year and recorded his debut solo single, A Long Time Since We Donβt Have No Love.β It didnβt have much of an impact, however the teenβs appearances in the dancehalls were eagerly awaited events. It was at one of these that Levy met former singer turned producer Junjo Lawes and Mew York-based producer Hyman βJah Lifeβ Wright. The pair took the youth into King Tubbyβs studio, accompanied by the Roots Radics, and recorded a clutch of cuts. The first fruits of this union were βAh Yah We Deh,β quickly followed by βLooking My Loveβ, and β Wedding Ring Aside.β Success was immediate, but it was the mighty βCollie Weedβ that really cemented the teenβs hold of dancehall.
βShine Eye Girlβ, was a smash follow up, and the young Levy was now in great demand. A stream of singles followed βJumpy Girlβ, a lovely version of Horace Andyβs βSkylarkingβ, βReggae Musicβ, Levy joined forces with producer Alvin Ranglin for another sting of hitsββNever Tear My Love Apart,β βJahβ, βYou Made Me So Happy,β and βWhen Youβre Young and in Love.βLevyβs rich vocals were made for duets, both with other vocalists and DJβs , and it wasnβt long before the young star was also recording collaborative singles. Toyan was a great foil on βCall You on the Phoneββ, he paired with Jah Thomas on βMoonlight Loverβ and βSister Debbyβ, and joined forces with Trinity for βLose Respectβ and a follow-up, βI Need a Girlβ in 1980. That same year, Levy made a sensational appearance at Reggae Sunsplash, then returned in 1981. During these early years, the singer seemingly spent all of his time between the recording studios and the dancehalls. Amidst the deluge of singles, four albums arrived as well between 1979 and 1980. First up was Bounty Hunter, which boosted three smash singlesββReggae Musicβ, βShine Eye Girlβ, and βLooking My Loveβ βand a clutch of other tracks that were just about as good. In Britain, the Burning Sounds label released Shine Eye Gal, also a hits heavy package which included the title track-track, βCollie Weedβ, and βAh Yah We Deh.β It was swiftly followed by the mighty Englishman, an absolutely fabulous record which was overseen by the unbeatable studio grouping of Junjo Lawes and two of King Tubbyβs protΓ©gΓ©sβScientist and Prince Jammy. A veteran of the clubs, he brought the spontaneity of the DJ to his records while returning vocals back to the sound system scene which had been purely the realm of the Djs. Utilizing old roots rhythms revitalized by the Radics, and giving the songs a hard, but danceable edge, Lawes and Levy together helped establish a whole new dancehall sound.
1980βs Robin Hood merely affirmed that everyone in Jamaica already knew: That Levy was now the biggest star on t he island, with a talent that was unbeatable. Or more accurately, he was king of the singers, because ruling beside him was DJ Yellowman, another Lawesβ discovery, that was brought to him by Barrington Levy. Robin Hood was as big as its predecessor and was beginning to have an impact in Britain as well, where both it and Englishman had been released by the Greensleeves label. Not surprisingly, both albums heavy rhythms would provide the building blocks for the Scientist V Prince Jammy dub clash album. Unfortunately, Levyβs very popularity was now beginning to have some serious drawbacks. Even before stardom arrived, the singer had noticed with delight fans tapping his sets at the dancehalls, and these tapes were coming back to haunt him. Suddenly, the shelves were buckling under the weight of the bootlegged albums, featuring not just older pirated live material, but also unreleased outtakes and recycled older singles. In response, Levy didnβt release a new album for two years, but in the meantime, new singles more then made up for it. From 1980 came such hits as the haunting Lawes-produced βMary Long Tongueβ producer Linval Thompsonβs βToo Poor,β and a string if hits cut with Karl Pitterson, including β I Have a Problemβ and βEven Tide Fire a Disasterβ. And as the decade progressed, the flood hits continued. βIβm Not in Loveβ, βYou Have Itβ, βTomorrow Is Another Dayβ, βRobbermanβ, βBlackRoseβ βMy Womenβ, and βMoney Moveβ were just a small number of the hits released between 1981 and 1983, with the latter song the biggest smash of the batch. Levy even tried his hand at self-production, recording such excellent songs as βIn the Darkβ and βLove of Jah.β Amongst there were fabulous singles recorded for Joe Gibbs, βMy Womenβ included. The Reggae Vibes album would bundle up Levyβs best with the producer, s well a number of cuts from fellow dancehall singer Sammy Dread.
1983 finally saw the release of Levy album βMoney Moveβ. The latter was excellently overseen by George Phang and boasted a stupendous group of rhythms that Sly & Robbie had specifically made for the producer. In the U.K, the burning sounds label also released Hunter Man, a greatest-hits collection. But the hits were still coming on strong; in 1984 none were bigger then Levy and Jah Screw produced βUnder Mi Sensi.β The pair would also record a new album that year, Here I come, whose title-track would the top 50 in the U.K The album itself took Britain by storm and ensured that Levy walked away with the best Vocalist Award at Britainβs Reggae Awards. It was also these songs that secured his spot in the Guinness Book of World Records, as the first reggae artist to hold both 1st and 2nd place slots in the charts. The same year, the singer also joined forces with another young singer who was tearing up the dance floors, Frankie Paul, for the intriguing sound clash set Barrington Levy meets Frankie Paul. 1985 brought Prison Oval Rock (the Volcano Jamaican label release, and not to be confused with the RAS labelβs U.S. compilation of the same title), which found the singer joining forces with Lawes again, for another roots-fired set equal to its predecessors. It had been six years since Levy burst onto the scene with all the force of a nuclear weapon. Now in his early twenties, the singerβs output significantly began to slow. He did return to Reggae Sunsplash in 1987 and would remain a top attraction at the festival until 1985. He also released βLove the Life you Liveβ in 1988, a rather patchy effort compared to previous releases. It was to be his last new album until 1991.But Levy wasnβt a spent force yet. Before the 80βs were over, he scored tow more hits with βMy Timeβ and βToo Experienceβ, both under the aegis of producer Jah Screw, and both covers of songs written by Bob Andy (ex-Paragons and also of Bob & Marcia fame).
Signing with MCA in t he U.S., Levy attempted to cross over into the North American market with 1983βs Barrington. Produced by Lee Jaffe, the Album featured a re-recorded βUnder Mi Sensiβ, and boasted strong songs as βMurdererβ and βVice Versa Loveβ and βBe Strongβ, a major hit in the Caribbean and South America. However, the relationship with MCA was not a happy one and Levy quickly departed. Meanwhile, back in Britain, the singer was chalking up another hit with βWorkβ. In 1994, Levy was joined by Beenie man on the singles βTwo Soundsβ and βMurdererβ. Both soon reappeared as fiery jungles remixes, with βSensiβ, in particular, mashing up the dance floors.
Under Jack Scorpioβs direction, the singer next paired with Mega Banton for βSheβs Mineβ. Jah Screw took these collaborations to the next logical step, and recorded an entire album and recorded and entire album of shared songs, Duets (this is its American title and it was released in the U.s. by RAS, and in the U.K., Levyβs relationship with Greensleeves continued, where the album there was titled Barrington Levyβs DJ Counteraction). From this set, βLiving Dangerouslyβ with Bounty Killer rocketed up the Jamaican charts and set pace at clubs around the world . Time Capsule came hot on its heels in 1996, a short album (a mere eight tracks plus five dubs), which more than made up for lack of quantity with quality.Over the next two years, his circle of friends was obviously growing, and 1998βs re-make of βMurdererβ featured such diverse artists as rap master Snoop Doggy Dogg and Southern California punk-reggae heroes Long Beach Dub All-Stars. In 2003, his debut album Bounty Hunter was reordered and reissued as Moonlight Lover on the Burning Bush label. Two years later, the Sanctuary label collected his recordings with Henry Lawes and Alvin Ranglin for βLove Your Brother man: The Early Tearβ. Numerous compilations have continued to appear featuring much of the singerβs greatest work.He was also featured in 2000 on rapper on Shyneβs debut album βBad Boyzβ, with two singles βBad Boyzβ which was number 1 on the hip-hop charts, and βBonnie and Shynz.
Barrington Levy continues to tour extensively, selling out shows all over the world. He is currently working in an album which will be titled βIts About Timeβ and he has said it will be his last. This album will feature artist like Damion Marley, Buji Banton, Beres Hammond, Heavy D and a lot more surprises. He expresses love and appreciation to all his fans across the world, and looks forward to seeing you in future events.
Levy's son Krishane is also a musician, and is signed to Atlantic Records.
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Original Ragga Muffin, Pt. 1
Barrington Levy Lyrics
Black Roses In my garden Black, black roses in my garden To keep and…
Collie Weed Hou-wooOOoo hououwehehe, hehehe-heheoh, WooOOoo weheheweheho…
Come On the intercom, Rosie tell me to come 'Cause she didn't…
Girls I Like Girl i love your style! girl, girl... Girl i love your…
Murderer [Barrington Levy:] Unoheal, Unoheal (Rock a bet) Murderer [R…
My Bible Whoyy My bible Only it alone can carry me truth My bible On…
On The Telephone Mini Bus (On The Telephone) Barrington Levy On the telephon…
Romantic Whoooy Whooyy Whooyy Ayyy, Whoyy My bible Only it alone can…
While Your Gone Oh, na, na, na I tried my best, never to stop…