Little John

b. John McMorris, c.1970, Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies. McMorris first recorded with Captain Sinbad for the Youth In Progress label at the tender age of nine, where his piping interjections contrasted neatly with Sinbad’s gruff style, and throughout the 80s he was seldom out of the reggae charts. Claimed by many to be the first dancehall singer, his ability to fit lyrics over any rhythm or backing track became something of a legend in a business that has scant regard for second takes and ‘dropping in’. Little John did it every time - and he rode on the crest of the 80s’ dancehall music explosion, becoming a superstar by the age of 17. He began his career on Romantic Hi Fi, moving up through Killimanjaro, Gemini and Volcano Hi Power, where he honed and perfected his craft with a lengthy string of live appearances. Simultaneously, he was recording for virtually every producer in Jamaica, notably Henry ‘Junjo’ Lawes, Joseph ‘Joe Joe’ Hookim, George Phang, Jah Thomas and Jammys, and he has released countless records on a bewildering string of labels. He no longer records as extensively as he once did, and limits his live appearances to a minimum. Hits for Exterminator proved that he was not relying on his past glories, and his talent, warm personality and skill as a raconteur remained.