Bushman

Bushman is the stage name of Jamaican reggae vocalist Dwight Duncan, from Spring Garden in Saint Thomas, Jamaica. He is born in 1973 and grows up in the parish that remains closely associated with his music and career.

Early life and formation

Duncan is raised as a Rastafarian from the age of two. He attends Lysson All Age School, where a music teacher notices his ability and encourages his development. He later goes to Yallas High School, where he sings in the school choir, joins the Yallas drum corps, plays bass organ, and appears in school concerts. He also sings in the New Testament Church of God Choir, where he earns the name Ark Angel.

As a teenager, he works as selector for the Black Star Line sound system under the name Junior Melody. He also takes part in singing competitions and talent searches in St. Thomas and records dub plates for local sound systems including Lees Unlimited, Mello Construction and King Majesty. He later travels repeatedly to Kingston in search of studio work.

Career in reggae

While playing football at Arrows Dub Plate Studio, he meets Steely and Clevie, who invite him to audition at Studio 2000. His first recording with them is “Grow Your Natty”, followed by “Call The Hearse”, which becomes a major hit in Jamaica and England. Around this time, Steely changes his performing name from Junior Melody to Bushman, a name he accepts after learning that it refers to an African term for a medicine man.

Bushman’s first album is Nyah Man Chant, released on Greensleeves in 1997. He follows it with Total Commitment, also on Greensleeves, produced by King Jammy, and later Higher Ground. Total Commitment includes “Fire Bun a Weak Heart”, “Babylon Dead” and “Live Your Life Right”, while Higher Ground includes “Yadd Away Home”, “Your Love”, “Fire Pan A Deadas”, “Love of The Heart” and “Make A Change”.

He later works with the English label Stingray on A Better Place, a 15-track album that includes a tribute to his mother, “Mama”, and “Fill My Cup”.

Singles, collaborations and performances

His singles include “Life Ain’t No Bed of Rose”, “Jerusalem School Room”, “Extortion’s”, “Sunshine”, “Where are Your Clothes” and “Afrikan Women”. He also records the combination medley “Truly Great” with Morgan Heritage.

He performs widely in Jamaica, throughout the Caribbean, in the United States, Canada and Europe, and appears at the Nevada World Music Festival and Bob Marley Day. He is described as having a close relationship with Luciano, and he cites Luciano, Bob Marley and Dennis Brown among his main influences.

Style and themes

Bushman’s music is rooted in reggae and Rastafarian themes, with songs that address politics, diet, lifestyle and social conditions. His work is associated with lyrical and devotional material, and he is presented as an artist who remains based in Saint Thomas, living with his wife and children.