Stitchie | id

Cleve "Stitchie" Laing was raised in Spanish Town Jamaica and has been recording reggae music since 1983. Initially a high school teacher by profession, in 1987 he chose to pursue a full-time career in music. In 1988 he made history by becoming the first dancehall reggae artist signed to a major label-Atlantic Records. He recorded three albums for Atlantic Records and one for Shanachie. This chart topping, award winning, world renowned, dancehall reggae rapper/singer has sustained momentum throughout his career with a dynamic stage show, heavy touring, and hit singles. Although he was a secular artist for well over a...

Born Cleve Laing in Spanish Town, he began by singing after his idol Dennis Brown, but by 1983 was dee-jaying on local sound-system Django, then City Light Discotheque, Lightning Super Mix, and finally Stereo One, where his reputation was eventually to flourish. His style wasn't the only thing to change in the early days. His first stage name was Ranking Citrus due to a love of fruit, and later became Ranking Noseworthy after a popular Jamaican radio programme! His principal influences were Brigadier Jerry and Ranking Joe at that point, although by the time he won the Dee-Jay Championship of...