File
Flourgon during his performance at Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest's Top Ranking - The Dancehall Salute at Pier One, in Montego Bay in 2006.

Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

Flourgon was one of the first dons of dancehall music. Born Michael May in Kingston, Flourgon began his career on the sound system circuit, performing with Stone Love, Small Axe, Rambo Mango and his own Sweet Love set. He often performed alongside his DJ sibling, Red Dragon, with whom he nurtured the careers of Buju Banton and Terry Ganzie. May released a succession of combination hits, including How You So Hot with Brian and Tony Gold, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun with Thriller U, Go Sit Down with Clement Irie, Dungle Lover and Madly In Love with Sanchez and the chart-topping Zig It Up, which featured the enigmatic Ninjaman. Following May's successful combination with the controversial DJ, Ninjaman curiously released the contemptuous Last of The Flourgon. However, it had little impact on Flourgon's career and his distinctive gritty voice continued to grace a profusion of vinyl releases, including One Foot Skank, We Run Tings and Bounce. Flourgon is regarded as an influential DJ who inspired a wave of sonorous vocalists.

Sunday Gleaner: How did you get the name?

Flourgon: Well mi used to eat whole heap of dumplings. They used to call me 'Gon' as well, until they combined the two.

How did you get started in the business?

My brother, Red Dragon, he was singing before me. I used to write his music, but dem time I was trained as a electrician so I was working. Then I got fired from my job and went into music full time, so mi try sing on my own. I used to hang out wid a sound name Rambo International, then Crystal Disco. I went to Harry J Studios, but mi neva get through and my brother was a recording artiste there. So me, Sanchez and Daddy Lizard we went from there to Winston Riley's studio where an engineer there like my sound and I recorded my first song, Big ... Gal, and everything went straight up from there. That song was a number-one in England.

Did you always want to do music?

Flourgon: Yes, always. Mi ol' lady used to seh it's betta to get an education an trade so mi do dat, but mi always loved music.

Did she eventually approve of your career?

Yeah. Cause my mother was a Christian she neva 100 per cent agree, but she find out mi love it. After my brother have a number-one song Hold A Fresh, which I did the harmonies on she see mi get confident from there.

What was the most difficult challenge you faced in your career?

Flourgon: Most difficult challenge is sometime wid producers. Dem producers deh used to be very strict. Dem neva recognise deejays as much, but singers. So yuh haffi rehearse a lot so when yuh go in on di riddim yuh haffi do it right.

Where did you get your inspiration?

There was a deejay called Charlie Chaplin mi always look up to him; him used to train me to deejay. He was a very loving person, very kind, and I wanted to be like him to be kind to other artistes. When I was to become a top artiste I trained people like him.

How did the crew of you, Red Dragon, Sanchez and Daddy Lizard begin?

Well, Red Dragon, a mi blood brother, Daddy Lizard at the time was my brother-in-law. Sanchez was and still is one of my best friends from when we were small. Red Dragon was the one who tek Sanchez along. We were on di same sound, did collaborations together. Up to now, we have a new song together Di Girls Dem Party.

What is the relationship between you and your brother like?

Mi and mi brother good man. Right now we all planning a tour together, the whole school of wi.

What is your connection with Buju Banton?

I had a sound called Sweet Love and di sound was located on Red Hills. Buju started his career on Red Hills Road. We used to live in the same apartment complex and him come to me and seh him waan deejay. Everywhere mi go mi tek him wid me. Mi see seh him really have the talent in him and I brought him to Dragon, who had a label, and he recorded a song. I introduced him to Donovan Germaine and him talk to Dave Kelly; him start record dat evening. From then him start record for Germaine. But he was wid me long before dat.

Do you guys still link?

Yeah man. Nuff time mi link. Him still call me 'Fadda' and ting. Him show mi nuff love and him mek me feel proud.

Have you converted to Rastafarianism?

Yeah, right now I'm a Rastaman certain songs mi used to do mi wouldn't do anymore. I'm more conscious now. Everybody mi a talk to - di gunman dem - and tell dem to put down the guns.

Why did you convert?

As people go along you just change yuh life. Yuh just a search. I know being a Rasta it mek mi more peaceful.

Is there anything that you regret in your career?

No, nuh really. Mi look pon life as a book. Yuh can't have only good chapters and mi give thanks for everything.

What is your most memorable experience in the business?

I will always remember di first time I was at a big concert in New York. In Jamaica mi have nuff songs a play, but mi neva get to go on no big shows. That moment I remember mi look onstage and see Stitchie go out and get a good response at the time we were new artistes - me, Red Dragon and Sanchez - and is we close the show. I was so nervous. When mi go out onstage they weren't screaming; as soon as I start sing they start scream and I was loved. That was a big night.

What are you doing now?

At present, I have an album to be released. I have a song out, Can't Do Without You. I think I'm coming now with better music lyrically. I'm doing more cultural songs better lyrics. I want for people to hear the new Flourgon.