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Baby Cham
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Photo provided
courtesy of
AKOBEN Studios
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Damian Dan Beckett is better know to his fans as Baby Cham, a name given to him by a friend of his. Born in Marverley and raised in Waterhouse, Cham spent the majority of his life in Kingston and got a taste of music from his uncle who used to own a sound system called Studio Mix. He recalled, "John Wayne, Super Cat and Half Pint used to DJ on the system".
Cham started going to hang out at studios straight after school including Penthouse, Scorpio, Jammys, Bobby Digital and Junior Reid. However, it wasn't until 1993 when he met Dave Kelly that a plan was made for Cham to finish school and then go back and work with the producer.
In 1994, Cham released his first single for John John (King Jammys son) called 'One Bag A Hotness'. Since then most people have become familiar with his repertoire that includes tracks like 'Many Many', 'Joy Ride', 'Que Sera' and 'Man and Man'. He has released one album so far, 'Wow… The Story' and said, "It did well for an independent album". Cham also writes all his own lyrics and has dabbled in a bit of production.
So far Cham has collaborated with artists such as Wayne Wonder, Mr Easy, Bounty Killer and Foxy Brown. The collaboration with Foxy Brown came about when Cham was on tour. They made a deal that he would do one track on her album and she would do one on his. Obviously this has given them both exposure in their respective markets and Cham has done tracks that are not 100% Dancehall. He said he has done, "Fusions of Hip Hop, R&B and Jazz" and believes that the Hip Hop and Dancehall relationship has come about because "It's just the time" and that it's "expanding, not diluting". Cham gave an example, "At first there was hardcore Rap… now fused with R&B. You have to have a change".
Cham is an award-winning artist and has received quite a few that he couldn't name at the time of the interview as he laughingly said, "I'd have to look on the wall"! We know that he has received a number of Tamika awards though amongst others.
Signed to Madhouse Records and stoically working with only one producer, Dave Kelly, has led to some negative commentary from people, some even calling him Dave Kelly's puppet, but Cham said, [19:35] "Some people are just straight haters. When you have the chemistry, you can't just leave that".
Cham is also one third of the Alias Project that is made up of him, Wayne Wonder and Dave Kelly.
We have all heard that Bounty Killer was classed as Cham's mentor and he has worked with him previously. Cham said,
"It was just a musical chemistry. A musical vibe. People started looking at it that he (Bounty Killer) was there before. Buju (Banton) was the one who inspired me. I took something from Shabba (Ranks), Major Worries and make my sound". So, if it was just chemistry, why does everyone seem to think that Bounty Killer and Cham have fallen out? Well, they have and Cham stated,
"There's a reason, but nothing to elaborate on. Nothing personal". Then there was the confrontation at Daddy Earl's birthday party…
"To me, I don't like strive off that stuff… Need unity for Reggae music to move forward". Enough said!
Being a role model is something all artists and people in the glare of the media spotlight have to contend with and Cham is positive about this, "Carry yourself in a certain manner when you're in public". He also does a lot of charity work, especially for Sherlock Crescent or "wherever they need anything".
Now, do you all remember Cham's track 'Boom'? You know - the controversial one that touched on the topic of fellatio (that's the proper terminology) or to the layperson, a blowjob! Well, Daintycrew.com had to ask why.
"It's real. Something that was taking place. It is taking place! As an artist… I reflect what's taking place back into music, whether it's controversial (or not)".
Even though his track was on the slightly slack side, Cham believes that the government were in their rights to impose the ban on slack lyrics at stage shows. He said, "The swearing on stage was getting out of hand beach you have kids in the audience. You don't have to swear to get a forward".
So far Cham has been all over the world on tour including the USA, Caribbean, England and Canada and he said of his accomplishments so far, "I got to be grateful for the time I been here. It's probably like a miracle"!
If Cham hadn't gone into the music business he would have wanted to be a pilot. However, he advises aspiring artists to remember, "It's not about hype, it's about the music. Use the studio to have fun. Keep it original and innovative".
For the future Cham wants to "Make more good songs and open that big door". His advice for his younger fans is to, "Honour your mother and father that your days be longer... Don't drop out of school".
Cham has many long days to come judging from the passion he has for the music, his originality and the fact that he keeps it real.
To book Cham contact Brenda at the XL Agency on 876-754-8006 or check out
www.madhouserecords.com.
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