PeeWee is beyond
passionate about music. Just like a
point guard is passionate on the Basketball court (setting up plays, directing
traffic, and implementing the coaches will), PeeWee is listening to a sound
system to make sure it is tuned, he’s paying attention to the chunes a Selector
has played (especially in a Sound Clash) to know if this is a Selector he needs
to keep an eye on (future looks bright) or if it’s a Selector in development,
and, he is acutely in tuned with the stage.
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| PeeWee Pictured Center |
Concerns such as where he is on the stage in relation to the
person he’s backing, or the response of the audience to the chunes he’s
dropping – these are crucial cues he is divinely connected to. Those times are not the times to approach
this serious music man. “When I’m in my
zone, I don’t see people; I see what’s going on and who it’s going on
with. I sometimes don’t hear
conversations unless they’re in relation to the artist I’m working with, or the
Micsman I’m supporting such as David Rodigan.
I’m totally in to the music and the environment.”
Getting his education from the golden streets of New York
that every single artist and Selector wants to travel (and have their name
engraved in), PeeWee’s gold brick is securely cemented as he’s worked as a
Selector, A&R and Manager, and has been doing so since 2006. PeeWee credits Billy and Pretty Posse for his
start, and solid foundation. “Not only
have I worked with artists because of my start with Pretty Posse, I’ve worked
singles. Both have been rewarding, and
both have prepared me for where I am.
There is a simple way to make sure a record gets to #1 in the streets,
which almost always leads to success on the radio, and that is to get the
backing of the core. Once you have that
backing, you’re good because they are going to feed the masses that record at
major and minor events. Both are equally
important.”
Some of the records PeeWee is responsible for include “I Love My Life” by Demarco, “Blind to You,” “Come Around” and “Mamacita” by Collie Buddz,
and “That Girl” by Jah Cure. His method has not always been traditional
according to record label rules, but the results have exceeded record labels
reach making PeeWee one of the industries greatest assets. “I remember people calling to say they
disagree with the vision me and my partner Pierre
Bost from the UK had for Kranium and
where we’re taking his career. A year
later, those same people are calling us to tell us they respect what we’re
doing with his career. For example, what
other artist from the Dancehall genre got signed to a major label and are able
to actively participate in the roll out of their artistry? We might be doing something right … right?!”
Knowing his sense of space, PeeWee has mastered filling the
space he’s in. While in Dubai, PeeWee was a club consultant at
several clubs at the regions hottest hot spots.
His knowledge of what artists are doing (moving units / YouTube views),
combined with his knowledge of the culture of the people he’s serving, resulted
in PeeWee being in Dubai for 5 months, and everlasting relationships with
people who look forward to his next projects.
David Rodigan, who is the most well respected Selector and
Reggae enthusiast, will only play with PeeWee when it comes to Clash. There is a reason for that. “PeeWee’s accuracy and timing is so in sync
with mine, that I don’t need to turn around and look at him while on stage – he
knows exactly where I’m going before I go there, and knows exactly what chune
to drop from my dub-box. I trust him
impeccably and will only play with PeeWee when it comes to Clashing!”
PeeWee has an extra large vision where the industry is
concerned. He feels that Dancehall and
Reggae is at the bottom of the music genre ladder, and more needs to be done to
not only move the genre to the top where it should be, he also feels more
education needs to be had by people in the industry: artists, managers, publicists, stylists,
journalists and the like. “We need to
share more information” PeeWee says while reasoning with his musical colleague
Nigel Staff. “We need to be educated
about how the industry works so we can have more stars on the charts at the
same time. We should have Jah Cure, Konshens, Popcaan, Shaggy,
Kranium and Busy Signal on
mainstream charts at the same time because we collectively are that good. In order for that to happen, we have to share
information about opportunities and how to get on the charts. One person can’t hold the genre on his or her
own – it has to be done together. When
we get to the place where we can be honest and positive and put every good
artist on, and not fight them because of personal feelings, we’ll be much
farther ahead. It’s a shame that our
son, Hip Hop got that message, but the Father, Dancehall, hasn’t picked it up
yet. We’re getting there!”
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