Lieutenant Stitchie — The Governor
Introduction:
Cleveland Laing (born 29 September 1965 in Spanish Town, Jamaica), known to the world as Lieutenant Stitchie, is one of the most gifted, witty and historically significant dancehall deejays Jamaica has ever produced — and one of the music's most remarkable stories of personal transformation. A biology teacher who moonlighted at Kingston sound systems before becoming a dancehall superstar, he was one of the first dancehall artists to sign to a major American record label — Atlantic Records — releasing three acclaimed albums for them between 1989 and 1993. Then, in August 1997, a car crash on the way to Reggae Sumfest changed everything. Lieutenant Stitchie became Stitchie, moved into gospel reggae, and pioneered an entirely new musical genre. He was inducted into the Gospel Hall of Fame in 2016 and awarded the Order of Distinction by the Jamaican government in 2021.
Teacher, Deejay & The Name:
Cleveland Laing trained as a teacher and was teaching biology at a school in Spanish Town when his music career began to take off. He started at local sound systems in the late 1970s, initially as DJ Ranking Noseworthy on the Django sound, then as DJ Ranking Citrus on Stereo One — a nickname from his well-known love of citrus fruits, shortened to Citchie. The name "Stitchie" came from a manufacturer's misprint on a record label that nobody caught until it was too late. Fans had already adopted it, and so had the artist. In 1986 he linked with the legendary Prince Jammy's studio. The single "Wear Yuh Size" — a brilliantly funny take on the importance of wearing clothes that fit — became his first number one hit.
Lieutenant Stitchie - The Best Of - Track Listing:
01 Bushman -Chinchilla Intro.mp3
02 Wear Yu Size - LT. Stitchie.mp3
03 Great Ambition - Lt. Stitchie.mp3
04 Natty Dread - Lt Stitchie.mp3
05 Big Broad Hips - Lt Stitchie.mp3
06 Story Time. Stereo One 1988. Lieutenant Stitchie.mp3
07 Girl Look Nice - Lt Stitchie.mp3
08 Lover Boy Ces - Lt Stitchie.mp3
09 Bun It Down - Lt. Stitchie.mp3
10 Special Gift - Lt. Stitchie Ft Marcia Griffiths.mp3
11 Sentence Fi Dawn - Lt. Stitchie.mp3
12 Lieutenant Is a Lieutenant - Lt Stitchie.mp3
13 Bangarang - Lt. Stitchie.mp3
14 Dress to Impress - Lt Stitchie.mp3
15 Body, Body - Lt Stitchie.mp3
16 Chinchilla Choons Skit - (Joe Lickshot).mp3
17 Strickly Love - Lt. Stitchie.mp3
18 Bible Story - Lt. Stitchie.mp3
19 Natty Dread, Part II - Lt. Stitchie - Chinchilla Exclusive.mp3
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Atlantic Records & Dancehall Domination:
His 1987 debut album Great Ambition announced him as a major talent. In 1988 he became one of the first dancehall artists to sign with a major US label — Atlantic Records — releasing The Governor (1989), Wild Jamaican Romances (1991) and Rude Boy (1993), all of which won Album of the Year in Jamaica. He was also featured on LL Cool J's 1993 Gold album 14 Shots to the Dome. He toured the world, became a brand ambassador for Red Stripe Beer and the Jamaica Tourist Board, and in 1997 at Reggae Sumfest — after the crash, bandaged and refusing to cancel — delivered a performance that earned seven encores and was named best performance of the festival.
His 1997 car crash prompted a profound spiritual conversion. His gospel reggae debut To God Be the Glory (1999) launched a new chapter. He received an honorary doctorate in 2012, published his autobiography The Power of Determination in 2014, and was inducted into the Gospel Hall of Fame in 2016. In August 2024 he suffered a severe brain haemorrhage and was hospitalised, with his wife and family rallying alongside him. His legacy as both a dancehall legend and gospel pioneer is fully secure.
Key Albums:
- Great Ambition (1987, King Jammy's) — debut
- The Governor (1989, Atlantic) — Jamaica Album of the Year
- Wild Jamaican Romances (1991, Atlantic) — Jamaica Album of the Year
- Rude Boy (1993, Atlantic) — Jamaica Album of the Year
- Gangsta (1995, VP Records)
- Bangarang (1995, Shanachie)
- To God Be the Glory (1999) — first gospel reggae album
Lieutenant Stitchie on Reggae On A Stick: 
Lieutenant Stitchie is one of the featured artists on our Reggae On A Stick USB — 100 of the greatest reggae albums compiled onto a single plug-and-play USB drive. Experience the Governor of dancehall alongside 99 other legends of Jamaican music.
👉 Shop Reggae On A Stick — 100 Reggae Albums On 1 USB