Lee “Scratch” Perry: Singular Reggae!

Lee “Scratch” Perry, whose real name is Rainford Hugh Perry, was born in Kendal, Jamaica on March 20, 1936.  It would be impossible to talk about Jamaican dab and reggae music without thinking about Perry since he is considered to be one of the most important examples of it.  Perry’s artistic career started in the 50’s when he began working in conjunction with the sound system of Prince Buster and Clement Coxsone Dodd.  In little time, Lee “Scratch” Perry was recording and producing for Studio One.

Lee “Scratch” Perry continued recording, some time after, at Wirl Records with Joe Gibbs.  However, this could not continue since he had personal and financial conflicts.  For this matter, he soon created his own record label in 1968, which was named Uspetter.  His first single “People Funny Boy” was very successful in spite of the fact that it was an insult to Gibbs.  Perry, during the 70’s, also created a studio that was called The Black Art, in which he produced outstanding reggae artists such as The Congos and Bob Marley & The Wailers.

In the 80’s, Lee “Scratch” Perry changed temporarily his name to Pipecock Jackxon when working for a Dutch label in order to rebuild the studio that had burned some time before.  Moreover, in spite of the fact that he had produced not only amazing but successful singles, including “Small Axe”, Lee “Scratch” Perry decided to sell every single tape to a famed record company called Trojan Records.  But the most amazing fact about it is that he did it without the consent of Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer or Peter Tosh.  In 1998, Perry took part in the production of the Beastie Boys’ track called “Dr. Lee, PHD.”  Besides, Lee “Scratch” Perry, in 2003, won a Grammy award with his album Jamaican ET for Best Reggae Album.  Thus, Perry’s success is as clear as day!