‘Study the music’ - King Jammy shares secret to timeless hits

Legendary record producer King Jammy is urging Jamaica's new generation of hitmakers to study the music, understand the craft, and aim for longevity, not just a quick viral moment.

The man behind the iconic Sleng Teng riddim, which turns 40 this year, says too much of today's music fades fast because young producers are chasing hype instead of honing their craft.

"Different generations, different things, but the music could uplift a bit," he told THE STAR.

King Jammy, however, made it clear that he isn't scolding but dather sharing advice. He wants young producers to study the greats and take time to build sound that can stand the test of time.

"If you hear some of my and other producers old riddims 20 years ago, they are still relevant. Sleng Teng riddim will be 40 years old this year, and it is still a hit. Some of the riddims just make last week and you don't hear it this week. They just need to do it right," the veteran producer said.

Known for pioneering the digital revolution in dancehall, King Jammy, whose given name is Lloyd Woodgrove, has never lost his passion for the art form. With more than five decades in the business, he says patience and genuine love for the music have always been his secret weapons.

"The producers could study music some more to get it right . They need to study what we were doing and be patient because everyone want to get rich overnight. I wasn't doing it to get rich, I do it for the love of it and still doing it for the love of it now," he said.

Even as the world shifted from analogue tapes to digital tracks, King Jammy found a way to fuse both eras, preserving his signature sound.

"When we used to record pon analogue, memory did short. Computer more vast, yes, but analogue still have its time and space," he explained. "Mi mix both together - analogue and digital - and that give mi di Jammy's sound. That's why it unique."

And King Jammy is far from done. With his four sons and a grandson now carrying the family torch, he remains in tune with the pulse of the streets.

"I am an adventurous person I like to test things before it come out and that is why I make so much hits. I am always in my lab testing things because I knew something big was gonna come out of it. All of my four sons and my grandson are into music and dem go street everyday and they bring the street to me so that is how I keep relevant to this day," he said.

The celebrated producer, whose catalogue includes classics like Duck Riddim, Fire House Dub, and Dubbing in the Front Yard, has worked with some of Jamaica's finest - Chaka Demus, Sizzla Kalonji, Frankie Paul, and Admiral Bailey, to name a few.

Already the recipient of the Order of Distinction (Officer Class), King Jammy will be elevated to Commander Class on Heroes Day - a moment he says hits a sweet note.

"I am feeling good, but not excited because I know I put in a lot of work, so I am looking forward to all those things in life," he said.

The legendary reggae and dancehall producer contained: "It is great to know that my own people are honouring me. I have got honours all over the world but this one, Jamaica, mi love dah one yah more."