In 1995 four aspiring dancehall dons, based in Seaview Gardens, Kingston, Jamaica, joined forces under the guise of the Seaview Family before changing to the Scare Dem Crew.The crew consisted of Boom Dandimite (b. Donovan Stewart), Elephant Man (b. O’Neil Bryan, 11 September 1975, Seaview Gardens, Jamaica, West Indies), Nitty Kutchie (b. Andrew Reid) and Harry Toddler (b. Patrick Ricardo Jackson, 1975, Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies). In the mid-90s the crew culture dominated the dancehall scene; Scare Dem’s competitors included Monster Shock Crew, Shocking Vibes and the Main Street Crew. Scare Dem were guided by Johnny Wonder, who had masterminded Bounty Killer’s early rise to prominence, and he repeated his success, with the crew proving equally popular. He insisted that Scare Dem should complete an apprenticeship in the dancehall, where, in addition to demonstrating their vocal skills, they proved an exciting visual act. Their unconventional approach during the cultural revival proved especially popular with teenage girls in Kingston. The adulation inspired the group’s successful debut, ‘Pure Gal’, produced by Steely And Clevie. Gloating that, ‘Pure gal, pure gal, pure gal want we’, the crew were proved right when, driving through Western Kingston in their BMW, a group of girls smashed the windows in order to be closer to their heroes.
The group members released a number of singles individually, although all of the crew provided backing in the studio. With Elephant Man and Harry Toddler handling the lead, the crew had a hit with ‘Nuh Run Dung Gal’, while Nitty Kutchie released ‘Go Baby Go’, and Elephant Man issued ‘War Start’. The group’s profile was further enhanced when they released the popular ‘Jailhouse Nuh Nice
Ward 21
named after the infamous psychiatric ward at the University Hospital of the West Indies. Comprising Ward 21 are renowned producers and have created hit dancehall riddims like "Badda badda", "Da Joint", "Bellyas", and "Volume" as well as hit singles like "Haters" and "Judgement Day".
The group formed in the late 1990s and originally had four members — Kunley McCarthy, Andre "Suku" Gray, Mark "Meandawg" Henry, and Ranaldo "Rumblood" Evans. They were mentored by King Jammy and acted as selectors for his sound system.After leaving Jammy they signed to New York label Natural Bridge.They had their first success with the "Bada Bada" riddim in 1998, which was the basis of tracks by Beenie Man, Elephant Man and Chuck Fenda. As well as success as producers they had hits in their own right with tracks such as "Haters", "Judgement Day", and "Blood Stain".[2] The group's first album, Mentally Disturbed, was released in 2001.
In 2005, the group went on a tour through Europe, playing shows in Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Romania, Switzerland, Italy and Spain. They also performed at Europe's biggest reggae festival, Summerjam, later that year. Evans left the group in 2008.
Ward 21's productions include Capleton's "Slew Dem" and the Wayne Marshall/Bounty Killer duet "When The Smoke Clears". In addition to countless singles (released mostly on King Jammy's label) and tracks on compilations, Ward 21 have released three albums on the reggae label Greensleeves. The band had participated in 311's remix of Amber song in Supa Dups Remix. They also appear on Major Lazer's second album Free the Universe, on the track "Mashup the Dance".
Innocent Kru
The Innocent Kru's sound defies an easy categorization, as each member draws from a multitude of influences, musical and otherwise. Among the recordings they have already completed are; "The Innocent Train" produced by Jamaica's Grammy award winning "Riddim Twins" Sly & Robbie. This song was supported with a major video that to this day still receives brief airplay on BET. ..The actual song "Impossible Train" was the only recording for Sly & Robbie on the Mission Impossible Riddim and the song itself took both Jamaica and New York by storm! The Innocent Kru has worked consistently with the Riddim Twins and has other records found on Sly & Robbie's Taxi Gang label including; "Cha Cha" and "Turn It Up". Other releases from the Innocent Kru include "Tell A Gal She" and "Resurrection" both produced by renowned producer Bobby Digital
The son of noted Jamaican musician Ainsley Morris, Hemsley Morris Jr. "Benzly Hype!", also fulfilled his musical pedigree by attending the former Jamaica School of Music. With the encouragement of Ricky Villa of La Benz sound system and others, Benzly was quickly a regular on the Sunday block party scene in Patrick City/Duhaney Park. It was after performing on one such show that he forged the links that would lead to the Innocent Kru. ..
Main Street
Thouhg lots of others get the hype these days, Danny Browne's outfit was arguably the most prolific starmaker in the dancehall genre. Goofy, Red Rat, Hawkeye, Degree, Buccaneer, Madd Anju, Lady G, all under the ears of Browne and his brother Richard. Each of the above-mentioned acts had a hit or two (or more) as part of the Main Street family and the catalog includes some of the most beloved and "singable" dancehall tunes like Red rat's "Sharlene" and Degree's "The Pianist" and Anju's "Chess"
Monster Shack
The core of this entertaining crew is a trio, Roundhead, General B and the unique phrasing singjay Ghost, who singly and together are responsible for the overwhelming majority of their hits, including 'Never Heard Ah We" "Bodyguard" "Eastside Motel" and others.
Alliance
The Alliance was formed in 2003 by iconic Dancehall artist Bounty Killer and close friends as 'the heavyweights'. These included Busy Signal, Wayne Marshall, Mavado and Vybz Kartel. Vybz Kartel, as all would by now know, later left after a heated dispute to form what eventually became referred to as simply the Empire (see below). The Alliance then comprised the core members and many Jamaican Dancehall artists. Serani and his production label DASECA is also part of the crew.
In 2011 The Alliance further expanded with the formation of The Alliance Next Generation
Empire
Always the enterprising sort, Vybz Kartel was never likely to remain under the stewardship of the "5-star General" Bounty Killer for too long. Bwetween 2009 and 2010, the DJ with the predatory toothy grin put together his own crew, initially as the Portmore Empire, but now just Empire.
Controversy dogged the outfit and its mercurial leader right from the start, and we all know that in 2014, he was, along with Shawn Storm and two others, convicted of murder in the matter of Clive Lizard Williams (an appeal is pending) . Up to the time, so to speak, of his incarceration, the Empire included STING Clash winner Blak Ryno, Shawn Storm, Doza Medicene, Lisa Hype, Popcaan, Gaza Indu, Gaza kim, Sheba, and Dotta Coppa.
According to former member Deva Bratt the group was founded by himself and Nuclear who is also a former member. After Vybz Kartel rebelled against former group The Alliance in late 2006, he came to like the name and Deva allowed him in the group as its leader. After Deva Bratt found himself in a carnal abuse/rape charge he was kicked from the group and the "EMPEROR" Vybz Kartel announced that only those signed to his addijaheim records are official members.
Of course, there are others - but these are the ones that in my opinion had most impact on the dancehall scene. Throw in your preferences or ones that you feel should make this cut
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