JUNIOR REID TRIUMPHANTLY RETURNS TO LONDON AFTER TEN YEARS!

When Junior Reid appeared on the Legends Of Reggae shows at the O2 venues in the United Kingdom late last month, it was the first time in 10 years since the singer performed in that country.

He said the break was worth it as he took the opportunity to get reacquainted with old fans and win new ones.

“It benefit mi career an’ mi album. All the CDs sell off an’ wi do two interviews on BBC, one with David Rodigan an’ the pirate station dem loving it too,” Reid told the Jamaica Observer.

I-Octane, Marcia Griffiths and Freddie McGregor were the other artists on the Legends Of Reggae shows which took place at O2 venues in Manchester, Brixton and London. The Manchester show was reportedly the weakest of the gigs in terms of an audience.

Junior Reid

For Reid, the UK dates were a homecoming of sorts. The country is where his early songs including Foreign Mind andBoom Shacka Lacka gained an underground following through pirate radio and sound systems.

He first toured the UK in 1988 and entered the pop charts during that period with songs like Stop This Crazy Thing (with Cold Cut) and Free which was done with Soup Dragon.

Reid, 53, said while the Legend Of Reggae shows were a success, he was pleased with the reception from the new wave of reggae acts in the UK, including Stylo G, a Spanish Town-born deejay who has made a name for himself there with songs likeSoundbwoy.

“Wi did some collaborations wid artistes including Stylo G, which introduce mi to his fans. Mi done have di foundation fans already who waan si Junior Reid even if him nuh come a England fi 20 years. It was a good run,” he said.

First week @ No.1

Junior Reid is one of the survivors of the dancehall/roots explosion that took place during the 1980’s. From Waterhouse, he was mentored by Hugh Mundell, Sugar Minott and Augustus Pablo, all of whom recorded him.

In recent years, Reid’s gritty, distinctive sound has won him numerous admirers in hip hop. He had big hits with rappers The Game (It’s Okay), Mims (This Is Why I’m Hot) and recently collaborated with Lil Wayne on a version of RappaPomPom, one of hits from the 1980’s.

His latest album, Junior Reid: The Living Legend, was released in early 2015.