Little John — The First Dancehall Singer
Introduction:
John McMorris (born 1965 in Kingston, Jamaica), known universally as Little John, is one of the founding figures of Jamaican dancehall music — an artist who began performing and recording at the age of nine, and is regarded by many as the first true dancehall singer. His ability to create lyrics spontaneously over any backing track or riddim was a legend in a studio environment that had no patience for second takes. Apple Music's biography describes how "he rode on the crest of the 80s' dancehall music explosion, becoming a superstar by the age of 17." Backed by Roots Radics and Sly & Robbie throughout his peak years, recording for virtually every major Jamaican producer of the era, Little John helped establish the template for everything that came after him in dancehall music.
Nine Years Old & Already Recording:
John McMorris was just eight or nine years old when he first approached Sugar Minott at his legendary Youth Promotion organisation — the Jamaican music industry's greatest nursery of talent. His early recordings with Captain Sinbad for the Youth in Progress label — including debut single "51 Storm" — set the pattern: his high, piping voice contrasted perfectly with older deejays, and his improvisational genius made him an instant asset. He moved up through the Romantic Hi Fi sound system to Killamanjaro, Gemini and Henry "Junjo" Lawes' Volcano Hi Power — the most prestigious sound system circuit in Kingston — honing his craft through hundreds of live performances.
His studio work with Junjo Lawes produced the album Ghetto Youth with the Roots Radics, and his ability to adapt to every producer's rhythm made him one of the most in-demand voices in 1980s Jamaica. He recorded for Joseph Hoo Kim, George Phang, Jah Thomas and King Jammy, adapting to the rocksteady-influenced early dancehall era and then to the digital revolution of 1985 onwards. His King Jammy tracks "Clarks Booty", "Block Traffic" and "Gimme No Bun" demonstrated his mastery of the new digital style. His 1990 album Boombastic — produced by the legendary Niney the Observer — was a return to traditional roots rhythms that confirmed his range. He continued to perform live well into the 2000s, including a tribute to Sugar Minott at Reggae Sumfest 2010.
Little John - The Best Of - Track Listing:
01 Chinchilla Choons - Intro (Half-Pint).mp3
02 Yes Mama (Sharon yuh Pregnant) - Little John.mp3
03 Clarks Booty - Little John.mp3
04 Give Me No Bun - Little John.mp3
05 Gonna Make You Mine - Little John.mp3
06 Youth In The Ghetto - Little John.mp3
07 Can't Bribe my Lady - Little John.mp3
08 Love Don't Come Easy - Little John.mp3
09 Block Traffic - Little John.mp3
10 Say What Ur Sayin' -Little John.mp3
11 Better You Gwaan - Little John.mp3
12 All Who Gone - Little John.mp3
13 Chinchilla Choons Skit - (Joe Lickshot).mp3
14 Gal A Mad Over Me - Little John.mp3
15 All Over Me - Little John.mp3
16 United We Stand Divided We Fall - Little John.mp3
17 Discuss Dem Man - Little John.mp3
18 Give Me A Change - Little John.mp3
19 Shock Out - Little John.mp3
20 Follow Me - Little John.mp3
21 Mud Up - Little John.mp3
22 Chinchilla Choons Skit - (Joe Lickshot).mp3
23 In The Ghetto - Little John.mp3
24 Janet Sinclair - Little John, Billy Boyo.mp3
25 Blood In A Me Eye - Little John.mp3\
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Key Albums & Recordings:
- Early Days — early debut album
- Ghetto Youth — with Roots Radics and Junjo Lawes
- Boombastic (1990, Heartbeat) — produced by Niney the Observer
- Build Back Yard (2006)
- Key singles: "51 Storm", "Clarks Booty", "Block Traffic", "Now Me Come"
Little John on Reggae On A Stick: 
Little John 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 one of the architects of dancehall music alongside 99 other legends of Jamaica.
👉 Shop Reggae On A Stick — 100 Reggae Albums On 1 USB