Wayne Marshall

b. Wayne Mitchell, Barbican Heights, Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies. Marshall spent his formative years in down-town Kingston until his father’s successful business venture resulted in a move to Spanish Town. The family’s new home was three doors down to the house of King Jammy whose sons befriended young Marshall. Through his association with the producer’s offspring he often visited King Jammy’s Waterhouse studios. By 1994 the teenager had obtained a pass to Jammy’s sound system where he witnessed the current dancehall don Bounty Killer wow the crowds. At the same time up-and-coming artists such as Elephant Man and the Scare Dem Crew were honing their crafts. In 1987 he wrote his first song, ‘Champagne Wishes’, although he failed to sufficiently impress Jammy to record him performing the song. Marshall could perform as both DJ and singer and he had an audition with Mikey Bennett. His advice to Marshall was to attend singing lessons. Having successfully nurtured his vocal skill Marshall formed an allegiance with Ward 21. The crew released the singer’s debut, ‘Story Done Tell’, on their ‘Bada Bada’ rhythm although just as his career was taking off Marshall was involved in an horrific road accident. He survived the crash but his friend later died in hospital. Marshall came back to record ‘Melody Of War’ with Ward 21 and ‘War’ with Elephant Man. In 2001, Marshall’s status was firmly established when he toured the USA with his hero Bounty Killer and recorded the combination hits, ‘Reggae Music Keep Playing’, ‘Smoke Clears’ and ‘Hot Girls’. Marshall has established himself as a dancehall favourite and his distinctive style triumphed over the initial confusion with the UK-based R&B star who had recorded lovers rock earlier in his career.