Ubigwitus Records marks 50 years of hip hop
Releases ‘Kings County’ soundtrack
Published:Sunday | November 5, 2023 | 12:07 AMCarl Gilchrist - Gleaner Writer
The contribution of Jamaicans to the development of hip-hop music has been well documented, with Jamaica-born DJ Kool Herc (Clive Campbell) acknowledged as the Father of Hip Hop.
What hasn’t been so well documented is the strong link between Ubigwitus Record’s boss, Bobby Johnson, and hip-hop music. Ubigwitus has been one of the top reggae music producers outside of Jamaica, having worked with acts ranging from the legendary U-Roy to reggae messenger, Luciano, to Trench Town duo Richie and Ragga.
This latest project, however, confirms Johnson’s indelible link to hip hop as, to mark the genre’s 50th anniversary this year, he has released the original soundtrack recording from the 2003 movie, Kings County, which features 17 ageless tracks by hip-hop/dancehall artiste M’Stro (whose is real name Manny Lovon) that were not released at the time.
The movie, which is heavy with Jamaican connections, was written and directed by Johnson’s sister, Patrice Johnson Chevannes, and tells the story of four teenage drug dealers and their boss who violated the altar of a crack-addicted Santeria prophetess.
The movie, which stars Pascale Armand, also features Johnson and M’Stro. Armand is known for her role in Agents of Shield, the movie Kinsey, and as the voice of Miss Allan on Grand Theft Auto IV video game.
The soundtrack album includes a performance by reggae artiste Red Fox who delivers a masterful verse on the celebratory hit, All County, an anthem to New York City that celebrates the boroughs.
“Although I was born in Jamaica, I have been in America all my life. I grew up in New York City, the birthplace of hip hop. I love hip hop. I am hip hop. It’s in my blood,” Johnson told The Gleaner on a recent trip to the island.
Johnson said hip hop goes beyond its connection to Jamaica and extends to other Caribbean nations, with artistes such as Grandmaster Flash from Barbados, among others.
About the album, Johnson says, “A classic album should tell a classic story and the album Kings County is a great classic.”
“With Kings County, M’stro creates a lyrical masterpiece that is ranked up there with albums from hip-hop greats like, LL Cool J, RunDMC, Biggie Smalls, Jay Z, Tupac, Enter The Wu-Tang, Nas, The Fugees, 50 Cent, Public Enemy, KRS One and Rakim.”
He explained that the first song, which is also called Kings County, gives a detailed look at everyday life in Brooklyn and described it as “a lyrical love letter to the borough”.
On the track, M’Stro sings, “ It’s like this place is my wife. Till death do us part. Our wedding reception was in the park after dark where she gave me her heart and soul and told me our love would always grow.”
On Over the Ghetto, M’Stro sings about the lessons he learned from his incarcerated father while visiting him in prison, and the choices made by his “hard-headed” friends who “never walk unleaded”.
“Mstro goes inside the hearts of the defiant inner-city youth of Brooklyn’s Kings County who quite often grow up in single-parent households. Many teach themselves how to beat the odds to make it to adulthood, sometimes they find those cues on the other side of the law. M’stro celebrates all the youth and all their parents, single mothers included, by encouraging them to keep their heads held high on the song Emmanuel,” Johnson said
The album, which is expected to revive interest in the 2003 drama, is available on all digital platforms.