Freddie McGregor Singer and Producer

by DRW
(Jamaica)

Freddie McGregor

Freddie McGregor was born on June 27, 1956 in Clarendon, Jamaica. He consider to be one reggae music most durable and soulful singer.

His Career started back in the early 1960s, when he was just seven years old. In 1963 he joined with Ernest Wilson and Peter Austin to form The Clarendonians, and began to record for the Studio One label. McGregor worked with producer Niney the Observer during the late 1970s and early 1980s.

In 1975, McGregor converted to Rastafari, which had a profound impact on his music. Freddie's musical and lyrical content changed with a strong slant towards lyrics of social consciousness with tunes like Mark of the Beast, I Am A Rasta and reggae classic Bobby Babylon.

In 1977 Freddie released his long awaited album Mr. McGregor, which contained reggae mainstays such as Zion Chant, Rastaman Chant and Walls of Jericho. This album marked a major milestone in his stellar career and in 1981 his tune Big Ship became one of reggae's biggest hits, earning him a permanent place in reggae music history.

In 1989, Freddie launched his own record label, Big Ship, featuring Jamaica Classics Volume One as the first major release. Part of this compilation included popular tunes like Little Roy's Prophecy and Derrick Harriot's The Loser.

Today, Big Ship is the largest and most recognized reggae label in Japan handling its own production, manufacturing, distribution and promotions. To date, Big Ship has produced several reggae artists including General Degree, Cutty Ranks, Mikey Spice, Benjy Myaz and Freddie’s daughter Yeshemabeth.

His album entitled Anything For You featuring the songs Uncle Sam, I See It In You and Anything for You, was nominated for a Grammy. Recently Freddie produced the historic Super Stars Extravaganza DVD, highlighting rare concert footage from the 1989 Denbigh Show Ground (May Pen, Clarendon, Jamaica).

The DVD features live performances by the great Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs, Cocoa Tea, Barrington Levy, Frankie Paul, Carlene Davis and the legendary Tamlins.

His Big ship label is now being run by his son Stephen "Di Genus" McGregor.

With a Career now spanning over three decades and more than thirty albums (albums listed here), this singer of Reggae, Lovers Rock, Ska, Rocksteady and Roots Reggae can now be called a legend in the reggae music business.

Return to Reggae artists page from here