Tag: Reminisce

The Ragga-Rough DJ Chats Bout Both Sides Of Love—The Tuff And The Tender

Patrick Anthony Willis’s mother gave birth to her sun by the roadside in the lush Jamaican parish of Portland. “I was born in the streets,” Italis says with a laugh, “so it will be hard for anyone to get me out.” As a child, his unusually deep voice, inherited from his dad and grandfather, made him a “celebrity at church.” Inspired at an early age by the Crown Prince of Reggae Dennis Brown, Willis knew that a career in music was his destiny. He spent many hours listening to artists like Papa San, Ninja Man , Garnet Silk, I-Wayne and Bushman, developing a deeper appreciation for his roots, and eventually taking the name Italis. “Although I am mainly a DJ, the singers are the ones who inspired me the most,” he says. As Italis got older, his voice got even deeper—so deep, in fact, that his sound would often be compared to dancehall icon, Buju Banton. “I love Buju Banton. People tell me I sound like him all the time. I can’t help that. This is just me. Naturally.” Discovered by reggae producer Donald Grant—better known as Danny Champagne—Italis went on to work with Grammy-winning producer, Tony ‘CD’ Kelly, who was one of the first producers to voice Buju Banton when they worked together at Shocking Vibes. Today Boomshots premieres not one but two brand new tunes that display the DJ’s versatility—the hard-driving “Dash It Weh” on The Journey riddim, and the smoothed out “Reminisce” on the Sky High riddim. Audio After The Jump…

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