Mad Lion

Born Oswald Priest, Mad Lion fused reggae and hip-hop into a hybrid style that ranked among the most consequential sounds of the ensuing twenty years. He received the 1994 Source award as Reggae Artist of the Year, and his approach prompted similar recordings from Ini Kamoze, Capleton, and Rayvon.

Although born in London, he spent his formative years in Jamaica. After relocating to Brooklyn, NY, he encountered reggae performer Super Cat at Super Power Records. At Super Cat’s urging he took the professional name Mad Lion, an acronym for Musical Assassin Delivering Lyrical Intelligence Over Nations. His first commercial traction arrived in the mid-’80s when he overlaid hip-hop rhythms on Shabba Ranks’ hit single “Jam.” He later appeared with Queen Latifah on Salt-N-Pepper’s 1997 album Brand New.

He founded his own imprint, Spinners Choice, and while preparing his debut album persuaded producer KRS-One to join the project. The resulting single “Shoot to Kill” moved more than 100,000 copies; its follow-up, “Take It Easy,” surpassed the 300,000 mark. After issuing Real Ting in 1993, he made numerous guest appearances on The New Jersey Drive and D&D Project compilations and produced a track for Born Jamericans. His second album, Ghetto Gold & Platinum Respect, arrived in 1997. Three years later came his third album, Predatah or Prey, which contained an interactive game.