Macka B

Macka B

Macka B is a reggae and dancehall singer-songwriter from Wolverhampton, England. He is also a performer, activist and practising Rastafarian. His career begins in the early 1980s and runs across the United Kingdom, Jamaica and a wide range of overseas touring.

Early life and beginnings

Born in 1966, Macka B grows up with an interest in music that starts at school, where he plays the violin and sings in the school choir. He becomes especially drawn to reggae, particularly the work of DJs such as I-Roy, U-Roy and Prince Jazzbo. After leaving school, he works as a technical apprentice for Ever Ready GB Ltd before being made redundant when the factory closes. He also completes an engineering inspection course in 1980.

At first he practises at home without performing publicly. He later starts a sound system with friends called Exodus, and the positive response encourages him to write his own lyrics. A trip to Jamaica in 1982 strengthens his commitment and helps develop his style.

Early performances and first releases

In 1983 he wins a talent competition at the Rising Star nightclub in Bilston, alongside performers including Pato Banton and Ranking Ann. The win leads to radio appearances and raises his profile. Around the same period he performs with the band Pre-wax, which plays live shows and appears on Channel 4's Rockers Roadshow.

He records Maggie's Letter with producer Papa P, and the track becomes a local success. Derek Nelson, a producer associated with Ebony BBC2, hears him on radio and invites him to perform on a Birmingham show, which leads to a regular place on the next series.

Sound systems, records and Ariwa

Macka B continues working with sound systems, including Wassifa and Skippy & Lippy. A recording of a Wassifa versus Saxon sound clash in Leicester is heard by Chris Lane of Fashion Records, who invites him to record. Bible Reader is released on disco mix and reaches number 15 in the reggae charts. He also releases Gentleman with Manners on the LP Great British M,C's.

He then meets Mad Professor and joins the Ariwa label. With Ariwa he records Sign of the Times, which reaches number 1 in the reggae LP charts. Other releases include Don't Judge Me, We've Had Enough, Looks Are Deceiving, Buppie Culture and Natural Suntan.

Notable songs and touring

We've Had Enough appears in 1987 to coincide with a European tour. Love It In Jamaica is recorded after a visit to Jamaica in 1968, according to the account of his career. Looks Are Deceiving includes Unemployment Blues, which is shown on BBC2 in DEF II - Behind The Beat, and the flip side Don't Sell Your Body.

Buppie Culture is released in 1989 and includes Dread a Who She Love, a duet with Kofi. The song is also issued as a single and reaches number 1 in the reggae charts, where it stays for six weeks. The accompanying video is shown in Jamaica, Germany, Sweden and Zimbabwe. The tour for the album takes in Ireland, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Poland, Finland, Sweden and Denmark.

In 1990 he records Proud of Mandela, a song celebrating Nelson Mandela's release, and it goes straight to number 1. It also appears on Natural Suntan, alongside Black Man. He also records Pam Pam Cameroon as a commentary on Cameroon’s performance at the 1990 World Cup.

Broadcasts and international work

Macka B appears on Channel 4's Club Mix and performs at Sunsplash at Wembley Arena in 1986. He tours Germany with the Ariwa Possee in January 1987, visits Bern later that year, and plays Australia in 1990, becoming the first British reggae artist to tour that country.