Watch now: Major Lazer take Kingston (Video)
“The Rolling Stone” accompanied Major Lazer to Kingston, the birthplace of Dancehall and, especially, sound systems. The trip resulted in this ten minute documentary, which sums up the history of the genre fusing collective started by Diplo around 2009.
In the documentary called Major Lazer Take Kingston Diplo and Walshy Fire talk about their very beginnings. Both of them visit the studio of Jamaican producer legend King Jammy, whose impressive record collection prompted Walshy Fire to say: “That’s the complete dictionary of dancehall”. Diplo even reveals that Major Lazer got the inspiration for their cover artworks – a “80s cartoon action hero version of Jamaica” – from King Jammy.
“The Rolling Stone” also interviews Kamal Bankay Promoter and long time friend of Diplo, who recalls the first Major Lazer shows that weren’t well received by the Jamaican audience. He also recalls how Diplo still came back to Kingston until he found the right sound that would vibe with the people. Says Diplo: “For us to have a spark starting here for all our new music and our new projects is the most important [thing]. We can go out to the rest of the world, as long as we prove ourselves here.”
Major Lazer got the inspiration for their cover artwork from Jamaican producer legend King Jammy (Source: Mad Decent)
Major Lazer’s third album is expected in June – with guest appearances by Ellie Goulding, Ariana Grande, Fergie, Elliphant and more. Diplo also revealed at the Grammys in LA that he worked with Travis Scott, Pusha T and Gwen Stefani, too. We already posted the latest Single Lean On feat. MØ in the beginning of this week.
For more Jamaican vibes check out ESKEI83 & So Shifty’s Tun Up Di Club feat. Charly Black.
