Jazzie B booked for ’80s in the Park
5 years ago
United Kingdom Jazzie B, founder of Soul II Soul, transitioned from a London sound system operator to a globally recognized DJ and music producer, influencing black British music and culture.
Collaborated on their album 'All Blessed,' featuring Jazzie B on the track 'Innadadance.'
Original hand-drawn art prints featured on a collection of t-shirts in the official Soul II Soul store.
Had a spell running Motown operations in the UK.
Designed a sneaker for their Legends range.
Presented James Brown with the Diesel U Music Lifetime Achievement award.
Launched his Classics Collection in 2013, a high-end, raw, handmade collection.
Taught music and music technology for the television program in 2011.
Featured in a campaign for Maharishi and Cambridge Audio's collaboration, highlighting his role in UK sound system culture.
Exclusive collaboration with FLOOR_STORY to create a rug featuring the legendary Funki Dred logo.
Trevor Beresford Romeo, known as Jazzie B, was born on January 26, 1963, in Hornsey, London, as the ninth of ten children to Antiguan parents. Raised in a family deeply immersed in sound system culture, he gained early experience managing equipment and learning about music production. From 1985 to 1989, Jazzie B and Soul II Soul hosted influential nights at the Africa Centre in Covent Garden, which solidified their motto: ‘A smilin’ face and a pumpin’ bass for a lovin’ race.’ This period saw the recording of their track ‘Fairplay’ and marked a turning point in their career, leading to wider public recognition.
Jazzie B’s career expanded beyond Soul II Soul, establishing him as a prominent DJ, producer, and cultural figure. He became a regular on London radio, starting with the pirate station Kiss FM, and later hosting shows on BBC London 94.9 and Mi-Soul. His production and remixing skills were sought after by artists such as James Brown, Teena Marie, Cheryl Lynn, Public Enemy, and Incognito. He also curated club classics collections from his legendary Africa Centre sets. His influence in fashion led to collaborations like designing a sneaker for Lacoste Legends and a Classics Collection with Harvey Nichols in 2013, embodying the ‘Funki Dred’ aesthetic.
His contributions to music and community have been widely recognized. In 2008, he was awarded an OBE for services to music and received the inaugural Ivor Novello Award for inspiration. The Ivor Novello announcement described him as ‘the man who gave British black music a soul of its own.’ In 2013, his birthplace, Finsbury Park, honored him with an ironwork sculpture. More recently, in February 2024, Jazzie B received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 26th annual Mobo Awards, acknowledging over four decades of influence in the music industry. He has also engaged in speaking and teaching, lecturing at Cambridge University and teaching music technology at Jamie’s Dream School for Channel 4.
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