Chaka Demus
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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Chaka Demus (born John Taylor in 1965, West Kingston, Jamaica) is a well known reggae musician and deejay, best known for a string of hits which enjoyed chart success in the 1990s, in both his native Jamaica and around the world. He is best known for the number one hit "Twist and Shout", a cover of the Isley Brothers song that featured Jack Radics and Sly & Robbie (under the name of Taxi Gang). He also performed as part of the duo Chaka Demus and Pliers, and they had a number one album in the United Kingdom with the re-issue of Tease Me and a reggae hit in 1992 with "Murder She Wrote". The single "Tease Me" charted in 1993 (UK).
Rise to fame
Upon releasing his debut single "Increase Your Knowledge" in 1985, he was virtually unknown and none of his early records saw chart success, but would later become huge hits. Other musicians quickly recognised him as having great potential, most notably Yellowman who joined him for such songs as "Everybody Loves Chaka", "Scotty", and "Bring It To Me" and Admiral Bailey, who collaborated with him on "One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer". After minor success, he moved to the Penthouse Records label where he recorded the single "Chaka on the Move" but switched back to Jammy's the following year where he paired up with Shabba Ranks for the Rough & Rugged album. The same year saw the release of "Everybody Loves Chaka", for the Scorpio label, which was then followed up by the 1989 album, The Original Chaka on Witty.
Current status
In 2007, Chaka Demus & Pliers reunited to record a track called "Need Your Lovin" which was released on vinyl, on Explorer Records. This song has remained high on the Jamaican charts, and shows that the duo still have the chemistry to produce great old-fashioned dancehall. The track is unavailable in the UK at the moment, but may appear on the forthcoming Jetstar compilation album Reggae Hits Vol. 37. The track can be heard with an accompanying music video on YouTube.
On November 18, 2007, Chaka Demus & Pliers performed "Murder She Wrote" alongside Alicia Keys at the 2007 American Music Awards. The new album, "So Proud", of Chaka Demus & Pliers will be released in Europe and the Middle east in October 2008.
A new solo album will be released in 2008 DJ Spirit
