IN the 1990’s, deejay Daddy Screw was a hot dancehall commodity, chalking up a string of hits.
Not much has been heard about him in recent years. The Jamaica Observer caught up with him last week in Denver, Colorado, where he resides.
“I’m here in Denver working on some new tracks. I have some songs coming out so listen out for them,” said the 48-year-old toaster.
A member of producer Dave Kelly’s Mad House label during his heyday, Daddy Screw is best known for the hits Body Good Like Gold, Sexy Kerry, Lover Man, Model Pon Yuh One Time Man, Big Tings A Gwaan featuring Donovan Steele, and Dreaming featuring Maxi Priest.
His latest songs include Jockey Dem and Pinky And No Brain.
Originally from East Kingston, Daddy Screw was born Michael Johnson and attended Vauxhall Comprehensive High School. After singing in his church choir, he turned to secular music, honing his craft on the Black Stone sound system.
His first single, Dimbo Bucket, was recorded in 1984. Later that decade, while doing some sessions at Tuff Gong, he met producer Tony Kelly who introduced him to his younger brother, Dave.
Dave Kelly
His biggest hit for Kelly was Big Things A Gwaan on the wildly popular Pepperseed rhythm.
Daddy Screw released two studio albums: 1993’s Loverman (VP Records) and 1996’s Multiple Choice (Steely & Clevie). French label Piper released the live album Mad House Crew Live, which featured him.
“Those were good times. A lot of fun, but most of all, my life changed financially,” he said.
He relocated to Colorado in the late 1990’s to live with his parents. His son is also a deejay, known as Chedda.
“Chedda is just continuing the musical legacy. I always tell him to be honest and be himself at all times,” said Daddy Screw.
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