Chezidek

Chezidek
Birth name	Desbert Johnson
Also known as	Chezidek, Mel-Chezidek, Chilla Rinch
Born	June 20, 1973 (1973-06-20) (age 38)
Origin	St Ann's Bay/Parish, Jamaica
Genres	Roots reggae
Occupations	Singer
Years active	2000-present
Labels	Cousins, Greensleeves Records, Massive B, Our Promotion, VP Records
Associated acts	Gentleman I Wayne Judgement Yard Lutan Fyah Prezident Brown Turbulence
Website	chezidekmusic.com

Chezidek (born Desbert Johnson, 20 June 1973, Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica) is a roots reggae singer.^[1] He is known for his hit singles, "Call Pon Dem" (featured in GTA IV), "Can't Hear Must Feel", "Inna Di Road", and "Leave De Trees".

Biography

Chezidek started singing from an early age at school concerts, and was a member of St. Ann's Bay Marching Band.^[2] After finishing school he performed on sound systems in the area, as Chilla Rinch, singing and DJing at various dance and talent shows.^[3]

He left St. Ann's Bay for Kingston where he linked up with record producer Phillip "Fattis" Burrell from Xterminator Production.^[3] He recorded his first album in 2002, entitled Harvest Time (distributed by VP Records), with popular tracks such as "Can't Hear Must Feel", "Breakfree" and the title track "Harvest Time".^[2]

His first number one hit single "Leave De Trees" on the Our Promotion label,^[4] produced by Hugh Miller (aka Bunny Dan) went on BBC Top 10 dancehall chart.^[3] Since then he has performed on major events such as Magnum Sting, Teen Splash, Dancehall Jam Jam, Bob Marley Tribute, and Tribute to Peter Tosh, Rebel Salute and Western Consciousness. He was awarded best new artiste by the Jamaica Federation of Music and Affiliated Artiste (JFM) for Middlesex (County).^[3]

Chezidek's album Inna Di Road was produced by Bobby "Massive B" Konders and distributed by Greensleeves Records in September 2007. "Call Pon Dem" from his album Inna Di Road is featured on the Massive B Sound system (station) in Grand Theft Auto 4, and it also appears on the Official GTA IV Soundtrack.

He announced he is working on a new album, which will release in September 2011, with the single "Secret Enemy" released.

Discography

Harvest Time (album)

• Released: 16 July 2002
• Format: CD _{(Catalog VP2188.2)}, LP _{(Catalog VP2188.1)}
• Label: VP Records
• Producer: Phillip "Fattis" Burell
• Tracks: Eleven
• Singles: "Breakfree", "Can't Hear Must Feel", "Harvest Time"

Rising Sun (album)

• Released: 29 March 2005
• Format: CD _{(Catalog VP2259.2)}, LP _{(Catalog VP2259.1)}
• Label: VP Records
• Producer: Phillip "Fattis" Burell
• Tracks: Fourteen
• Singles: "Inna Love"

Mash Dem Down (album)

• Released: 18 August 2006
• Format: CD _{(Catalog ALTA002.2)}, 2-LP Set _{(Catalog ALTA002.1)}
• Label: Al.Ta.Fa.An
• Producer: Soljie Hamilton
• Tracks: Fourteen
• Singles: "Mash Dem Down"

Firm Up Yourself (album)

• Released: 5 June 2007
• Format: CD _{(Catalog COUD0006.2)}, LP _{(Catalog COUD0006.1)}
• Label: Cousins Records
• Tracks: Fourteen

Inna Di Road (album)

• Released: 11 September 2007
• Format: CD _{(Catalog GREL300.2)}, LP _{(Catalog GREL300.1)}
• Label: Greensleeves Records
• Producer: Bobby "Massive B" Konders
• Tracks: Fourteen
• Bonus tracks: Two (Music Videos - "Inna Di Road", "Call Pon Dem") on (enhanced) CD
• Singles: "Call Pon Dem", "Inna Di Road", "Leave The Trees", "Mi Nah Run"

Judgement Time (album)

• Released: 4 June 2010
• Label: Heartbeat Europ (SunnyMoon)
• Tracks: Seventeen

References

1. ^ "Chezidek Biography". United Reggae Online Reggae Magazine. http://www.unitedreggae.com/artist/n71/chezidek. Retrieved 2008-05-30. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "Fiche Artiste: Chezidek Biography". Reggae France. http://www.reggaefrance.com/artiste-275-chezidek.html. Retrieved 2008-05-31. 
3. ^ ^{a b c d} "Chezidek Biography". Chezidek.com. http://www.chezidek.com/bio.php. Retrieved 2008-05-31. 
4. ^ "Tunes on the Our Promotion Label". RiddimBase.org/Dancehallmusic.de. http://www.dancehallmusic.de/riddimbase/query.php?category=label&id=654&page=1. Retrieved 2008-05-31. 

External links

• Chezidekmusic.com
• Chezidek.com
• Chezidek at Myspace
• Chezidek - "Call Pon Dem" lyrics
• Chezidek - "Inna Di Road" lyrics
• Chezidek Photos (from Reggae Sundance 2005) at reggaephotos.de
• Featured Artist: Chezidek Profile at Billboard.com (contains short biography and his solo-released album discography)

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Date of birth	20 June 1973
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