Jazzie B OBE | British DJ and music producer | Founder Soul II Soul

The Kelly Hoppen Show

The first sound man to be honoured by Her Majesty the Queen, Jazzie B is a true soul legend. He and friend Daddae started a sound called Jah Rico when they were just 13, playing mainly reggae music; after three years Soul II Soul was created.

They were launched into success by landing a gig at the now-legendary Africa Centre in London's Covent Garden, and it wasn't long before the record labels were beating down the proverbial door. Soul II Soul enjoyed early chart success with ”Keep On Moving“ and ”Back To Life,” and picked up a couple of Grammys in 1990.

Jazzie was subsequently given the keys to seven cities in the US, and there is even a Soul II Soul day celebrated by die-hard fans on that side of the pond.

Accepting his success with Soul II Soul, Jazzie is quite the entrepreneur. He has his own label (Soul II Soul Recordings); has produced a string of remixes for the likes of The Fine Young Cannibals and James Brown (one of his childhood heroes); he's a radio DJ, and he runs his own annual music festival in the Caribbean.

From 1985-1989, Jazzie and Soul II Soul would hold what would be regarded as a legendary night at the Africa Centre in Covent Garden. The Soul II Soul track "Fairplay" was recorded there just before the group started to find wider success. The nights at the Africa Centre would be celebrated in the 2003 compilation "Soul II Soul At The Africa Centre".

At this time, he would also host a show on then pirate radio station Kiss FM, which would continue through its legal licence and until 1997. From 2009 to 2012, Jazzie B hosted the "Back 2 Life" radio show on BBC London 94.9, which he then bought to Mi-Soul since 2014.

Jazzie has produced and remixed tracks for the likes of Incognito, Maxi Priest, James Brown, Kym Mazelle, Cheryl Lynn, Teena Marie, Johnny Gill, Ziggy Marley, Nas, and Destiny's Child.

He is a founding director of the Featured Artists Coalition.

http://jazzieb.co.uk/