Biography
Born as Fidel Hugh Henry around 1965 in Manchester, Jamaica, the future Colourman first honed his turntable skills on the Clarendon-based Cosmic Force sound system. As the Bible Man he also spun records for lesser-known outfits such as Ghetto International, Masterblaster and Cadett Hi Power. Relocating to Kingston in 1984, he received guidance from Snagga Puss—then known as Dickie Ranking and chief deejay for Gemini—which helped elevate his profile. That rising popularity earned him a spot alongside Buro Banton, Billy Boyo, Little Harry and Danny Dread on Volcano Hi Power, the sound Henry ‘Junjo’ Lawes had launched the previous year and stocked with exclusive dubs from Cocoa Tea, Frankie Paul, Johnny Osbourne and Barrington Levy. When Lawes proposed taking the system to New York in 1985, Colourman declined in favor of remaining “a yard” and instead aligned himself with Sugar Minott’s Youth Promotion crew. Youth Promotion issued his first two singles that year—“Skin It A Go Peel” followed by “Vibes Up A Sound”—both of which ruled the dancehall yet failed to translate into comparable record sales. The debut did, however, lead I. Roy to summon him for a Channel One session that later appeared on Adam & Eve. Lasting recognition arrived when he teamed with Jackie Knockshot for the aptly named “Kick Up Rumpus,” whose controversial lines prompted RJR and JBC to ban the track; the resulting controversy propelled it to the summit of both Jamaican charts. Despite the breakthrough, Colourman proved unable to sustain momentum and gradually faded from view.