Krista Henry, Staff Reporter
Kris Kelli voicing one of her latest tracks at Big Yard.
Music is one playground ruled by the 'Big Yard'. This week's Echo Chambers looks at the sweet melodies reverberating from the Big Yard studios, located at 23 Westminister Road, St. Andrew. A name synonymous with international artiste Shaggy, it is known for the best quality and welcomes everyone to the 'yard' with open arms.
By far, Big Yard studios is one of the most impressive in the island, with high-tech equipment and a posh interior and exterior. Boasting an immaculate yard and a peachish-yellow building, Big Yard is well kept and maintained.
Almost a sign of the wealth and well-being generated by the studio, a variety of obviously expensive cars seems to be a fixture. Inside boasts countless pictures of Grammy winner Shaggy, including a framed cover of his Hot Shots album which reached diamond status, selling in excess of 10 million copies worldwide.
The Sunday Gleaner got a tour of the premises from Big Yard engineer Kamal Evans.
Along with an office and reception area there is also a huge rehearsal room at the back that has a wall made of mirrors so that the artistes can work on their performance skills, seeing themselves sing while they belt out the lyrics of the latest hit song. Inside the front building hosts a fairly large voicing room, compared to most others. The studio has a state-of-the-art and large mixing board that overlooks the voicing room.
As the team toured the studios we were lucky to see producer Shane Brown, who is a Big Yard regular, at work in the studio listening to the sultry voice of dancehall artiste Kris Kelli in the voicing room.
many have passed through
Kris Kelli is one of many who have passed through the studios, including the likes of Collie Buddz, Bounty Killer, Capleton, Sizzla, Sean Paul, Lady Saw, Macka Diamond, Assassin, Morgan Heritage, CéCile, Voicemail and Busy Signal. Big Yard recently formed its own record label, signing talented singers such as Shaggy, Rik Rok, Ravyon, Brian and Tony Gold, Kip Rich and Christopher Martin.
According to Pansy Dixon, who is from the Big Yard family, the name 'Big Yard' originated in New York where the first Big Yard studio was established. In 2004, the Big Yard grew even bigger and extended its home to the studio in Jamaica.
Founded in 1996, Big Yard Music Group is a joint venture between Shaggy, his long-time manager Robert Livingston and legendary producer Sting International. The birth of Big Yard was the first step on the way to creating a lasting vision for the genre that these men love.
According to www.bigyardmusic.com, "The goal of Big Yard Music Group is to create a central space of opportunity. The studio not only provides for the technical side of music production, but it also nurtures the creativity of promising new artists and producers."
Dixon told The Sunday Gleaner that "Shaggy has recorded many songs here in the studio, but not an entire album. Most of his albums are done in New York, where he spends most of his time".
In addition to releasing albums and singles featuring their own artistes, Big Yard also partners with VP Records on its Riddim Driven series, where beats created by the Big Yard family of producers are voiced on by other artistes and released. The 'My Baby' rhythm produced Kiprich's Telephone Ting. Chris Birch's 'Wild 2 Night' produced the song of the same name from Shaggy and Olivia and backed Bun Him by Macka Diamond, featuring Black-er.
With an ear for music, the Big Yard crew aims to continue making its mark on the business by producing the hits and the hit artistes.
