K.C.JOCKEY
“I’m not a follower. I’m a leader. I’m just about pleasing the people and giving them what they want.”
For years, Reggae music has stood in the shadow of other mainstream musical genres, waiting until it was time for its movement. Though there have been glimpses recently when the occasional Shaggy or Sean Paul has broken through, Reggae/ Dancehall remains an underground art form, enjoyed primarily in its native home of Jamaica and in communities where there is heavy Jamaica population. But with an artist like K.C. Jockey on the verge of a major breakthrough, it is only a matter of time until the Reggae movement becomes a dominant force in the music industry.
“In America, there is such a strong economy, and millions of dollars are invested in other forms of music, Hip-Hop especially right now. But not much money has been invested in Reggae. They don’t yet know how far it will go,” says an enlightened Karl-Marx Fernandez Waite a.k.a K.C. Jockey, Reggae’s newest phenomenon. And with his debut album, he hopes to usher in that change, taking not himself, but the entire Reggae community to the mainstream success that is long overdue.
Born in Kingston, Jamaica, but raised in both the 90’s area of Brooklyn and the Flatbush section, K.C.’s blend of Jamaican and American cultures make him one of the most versatile artists that the music industry has to offer. Of course, when you are baptized into artistry, with Marcia Griffiths of Bob Marley and the Wailers as your Godmother, and the actor Carl Brashaw as your Godfather, performance is in blood “I can blend in with anything, any kind of music,’ he says. In junior high, Jockey’s first girlfriend was MC Lyte, with whom he would rap and DJ in the lunchroom. A producer, songwriter, artist and an actor all wrapped up in one, Jockey blend a bevy of unique styles. He describes, ‘Hip-Hop tracks, Reggae tracks, Dancehall whatever, I can flip it.”
His versatility and vocal agility give K.C. a leg up on the competition, but it’s the music that will ultimately make him a favorite among millions of people. “My music is based off experience. People will listen to my music and say ‘you know, I’ve been down that road before,” he says.
Having paid his dues in the game, collaborating with notable Dancehall artists since the early 80’s K.C. enlists a number of high profile guest appearances to help him deliver a solid album. Beenie Man chimes in on ‘1/3’, ‘Diggy Diggy’ features a trademark appearances by Elephant man, Chico Debarge lends his vocal to ‘Not Together’. It’s this type of camaraderie that Jockey promotes in an effort to unite artists, especially the reggae community. “Some people, they’ll talk a good one, but at the end of the, nobody wanna see you shine more than them,’ he says of the current state between artists, But Jockey hopes to fix that. “I’m a people person. I love everybody. I don’t care.”
If performances still count for anything, then K.C. is sure to rise above his competition. “My performances are unbelievable,” he boasts. “Whatever tunes I’m performing to, I act out like a theme, complete with actors and dancers. When they go home, they gon’ be like ‘yo, you remember what he did.” And his videos display the same type of energy, all complete with storylines that relate to the subject matter at hand.
Though KC Jockey is well versed on political issues (with a a name like Communism flounder Karl-Marx a total coincidence who wouldn’t be?), he steers clear of them in his music, keeping his focus on ordinary people and their everyday lives. His father was a college professor/doctor and his belated mother was a nurse, which made for a positive upbringing. So on the inspiring “Kids Rising,” KC Jockey delivers a tune that directs the young ones to stay on the right track. He chants, “Forget the easy money get a college degree, not a death certificate,.” Then, there’s the hard-knock riddim of “Baby Mamma,” featuring Billie Lawrence on the chorus, a track that pays homage to the ride or die chicks that stick by their man.
But aside from his heavier subject matter, there is of course that traditional Dancehall feel of his music. And in true form, songs like “Tic Toc” and “Gold Digger” will keep the masses grindin’ on the dance floor. KC Jockey has an excellent music catalog and recorded a single ‘Beware of the Boys’ that was remixed with hip hop super star Jay Z and Asian artiste Panjabi which hit the Billboard Top 40. He also did combination singles with reggae artistes namely Beenie Man, Luciano, Elephant Man, Tanya Stephens, Richie Stephens, Marcia Griffiths, Ce’Cile just to mention a few. KC has also shared stage with international artistes such as Sean Paul, 50 cent, Mary J Blige, Fabulous, Busta Rhymes, Jadakiss, Chico Debarge, , Beenie Man, Sizzla just to mention a few.
Citing Shinehead and Gregory Nose as his teachers, KC Jockey debut is reminiscent of a time when the Reggae and Hip-Hop music were synonymous with one another. “Hip-Hop is Rreggae. It came from Reggae, that’s where it started out.” He informs.
This New York based reggae/dancehall Jamaican artiste is currently riding high on the heels of his two new singles ‘Want A Wife’ and ‘Need Love’ in combination with reggae star Luciano which are both released on his label Sweet Sadie’s Productions. KC Jockey is currently sewing his God given talents in the film industry which bearing fruits beyond his expectations since 2004.
2006 he played a small role in a film called 'Where My Ladies At?’ which is centered around video girls and how far they will go with artistes and directors to get into videos.
K.C Jockey once again showcased his acting chops with a minor role he earned in a major motion picture, AMERICAN GANGSTER', and he will be featured on an upcoming episode of perennial children's favourite, 'Sesame Street'. KC is excited about his new role in the Universal Pictures movie 'American Gangster' with Denzel Washington, Richard Core, Russell Crowe, Carla Gugino as well as recording artistes Common and T.I.. The young actor considers this as a big achievement as he is now living a childhood dream from age 5 performing recitals at Musgrave & Alverina Prep schools in Jamaica, then migrated to the United States. He continued performing on talent shows at St. Catherine Elementary, Martin Luther High and Somers Junior High schools.
Recently, the deejay has also been attending rehearsals for a taping of 'Sesame Street' which will be shot in a few weeks and air some time later this year. K.C is building up a nice resume of film and TV credits.
"My music and acting is just about fun and happiness," says KC. "I want you to take it to heart, but take it to heart smart. It's a comical view of everything and most of the stuff I write it or if other people collaborate with me, it's reality, it is what it is, and you can't change it. Some of the things I am starting to write about are things that happened. Experience is the key and when somebody hears your music and says that happened to me before, that's the kind of song that lasts forever, instead of the imaginary stuff which can only lasts so long. That's what I'm looking for, songs that are infinite. Acting for me is art representing life."
December 2006 KC’s music and acting career starting growing simultaneously where he got a minor role in the movie EGO starring EVE and Mekhi Phefier and the promotion of his newest single SHAKE in combination with the beautiful Flippino R&B Singer Santalaina who has been featured on MSN over 18 times. During the Christmas season KC Jockey was selected to perform on the MIDEM SOUNDS OF JAMAICA Showcase 2007 in Cannes, France where he would share stage Grammy winner Shaggy and other upcoming popular Jamaican artistes Da’ville, Tessane Chin, Nanco, Oba Simba just to name a few. As destiny would have it the artiste had to cancel that event and accepted the offer to play role of a zombie in the big budget horror motion picture I AM LEGEND starring Will Smith.
In January of 2007 the single SHAKE has been in rotation on radio play lists in Japan, Europe, USA and the Caribbean. KC Jockey & Santalina released the video for SHAKE and recently be rotated on several TV and cable stations world.
The video SHAKE stormed up the CVM TV Dancehall charts to No.2 and is currently getting airplay internationally.
His new single PARTY SPIRIT is now emerging to become a major hit on the reggae & dancehall scene internationally.
KC Jockey is now poised and ready for the world in 2007.
