Spikey Tee is the Humble Lion.
If you are looking for a track record then Spikey Tee definitely has one. He was first involved with reggae sound systems at the age of 13 acting as a surprise selector/operator in soundclashes in and around London. It was after singing at one of these clashes, he met DJ Fingers from London hip hop crew the Sindecut who are credited as pioneers of the UK hip hop scene and was asked to contribute to an idea for expanding the group. With a love of hip hop culture Spikey agreed, the band subsequently went on to sign for Virgin Records and released the acclaimed "Changing The Scenery" album in 1990.
After The Sindecut, Spikey joined Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart and was lead vocalist for five years. As the group's front man he brought a real edge to their live performances, particularly when he sang The Abyssinians' Rasta anthem "Satta Massa Gana". Considering the quality stock from which he comes (Spikey is related to legend Bunny Wailer no less!), it was perhaps inevitable that he would so compellingly make the Rastafarian connection. Look no further than the emotive Invaders of the Heart single, "Mount Zion", for a sublime example of this particular string to his bow.
All the while Spikey continued to DJ in and around the UK, mixing hip-hop, R&B, ragga, and drum'n' bass. Not content to rest on his laurels, Spikey also made hit tunes for numerous producers, most notably with top-20 UK hit "Dark Heart", recorded for Bomb The Bass, and "Paper Soldier" for Mannasseh.
After a chance meeting with Dom (Blood and Fire Records/Sound System) and Mr Scruff at a Jah Wobble concert in Manchester, Spikey Tee teamed up with the Manchester hip-hop label Grand Central for a number of collaborations. A track with Mr. Scruff, "Is It Worth It", was received extremely well, as was "Erase The Pain" for Tony D's 'Pound for Pound' album, going on to tour with stablemate Aim as part of a 10 piece live outfit.
After striking up a relationship with Blood and Fire Records, he was included in the Sound System line up and performed around Europe with reggae legends such as Dennis Alcapone, Ranking Joe and Horace Andy. Spikey also appears on the Morcheeba album "Big Calm" and their live DVD From Brixton To Beijing, where his vocals feature on "Friction" and "Shoulder Holster". He can also be found on Mark Rae's debut solo LP, "Rae Road", on the final track "Throne" and also on Dual Control's Grand Central Records debut album "Left Or Right" performing "Burn It Out"..
His DJ-ing, MC-ing and singing skills have taken him around the world to Australia (where he now resides), Sweden, Czech Republic, Germany, Norway, Russia, and Finland to name a few. Spikey recently collaborated with New Zealand's Auckland based producer Andrew "Sola Rosa" Spraggon and recorded "Badman" for his 3rd album release "Moves On" and has been touring New Zealand as a vocalist with the band playing several festivals over the last 18 months. He is now back on vocal duties, writing and recording his first solo album and is hoping it will be released mid 08.His appearance on DJ Hype's Ganja label on a track "Hands Up" marked his first vocal drum 'n' bass outing. This lead to Spikey being introduced to Potential Bad Boy by DJ Hype, they immediately clicked and recorded Submission which was released as an AA sided single including another collaborative effort entitled "Show Me". You can also hear Spikeys inimitable vocal on True Playaz artist Crystal Clears "Blaze". Other releases include On The Rise and Rubadouble co-produced with New Zealands Agent Alvin. The first of these tracks has been remixed by Breaks DJ/Producer Timmi Schumacher and has received excellent reviews by numerous publications and is blowing up dance floors around the world.
Most recently there have been 2 more releases, one is another double a sided effort which is a collaboration with Sydney producer Ritual entitled "Bun Dem Down" and the flip being a DJ Suv remix of a track entitled "Zero Dub" released on Suv's Playsides label. The 2nd is another collaboration with a very talented producer from the Czech Republic by the name of Rido (pronounced Reedoo) entitled "Life Is Strange" released on Focuz Records.
Having completed a successful dj tour of America last year, There are plans for another trip to the states where he hopes to be travelling with Prime Mover. Always a man to keep himself busy, Later this year Spikey is looking to start production on his Soundclash video game for the Playstation.
Written by: Ali Little.
Discography
1. Changing the scenery - The Sindecut
2. Creation Rebel - Rebel MC
3. Element of speed - The Demon Boyz
4. Life on loop - Steve Spyro
5. Just another night on the town - 11:59
6. Ruff life - 11:59
7. Amor - Jah Wobble
8. Tiger Tiger - Jah Wobble
9. Third heaven - Jah Wobble
10.Wine, women and song - Jah Wobble
11.Mount Zion - Jah Wobble
12.Darkheart - Bomb The Bass
13.Paper soldier - Mannasseh
14.Is it worth it - Mr Scruff
15.Erase the pain - Tony D
16.Friction - Morcheeba
17.Shoulder holster - Morcheeba
18.Throne - Mark Rae
19.Guilty - Parry/Gendler/Rennie/Bell
20.Timelocked -Rennie/Konstandinides
21.Stand firm - 2 Dogs
22.You look fine - Submariner
23.Vibration Version - Mannasseh
24.Hands up- DJ Hype
25.Gunshot dub - Resin Dogs
26.Greener pastures - King Kapisi
27.The signal - Noiseshaper
28.Ember - Blue Foundation
29.If Only She Knew -Feelstyle/Submariner
30.Adore You - Resin Dogs
31.Burn It Out - Dual Control
32.Gusto Remix/It's Not Hard - Hermitude
33.Submission - Potential Bad Boy
34.Show Me - Potential Bad Boy
35.Roaring Lion (Re-Rub) - Flexitones (Propellerheads/Eat Static)
36.Simple Jealousy Sindecut
37.Oh Little Sheila Nil by Mouth Soundtrack
38.Badman Sola Rosa
39.Blaze Crystal Clear
40.Future Dub Ting/Zero - Ritual/Spikey Tee/DJ Suv
41.Rubadouble Agent Alvin/Spikey Tee
42.Bun Dem Down - Ritual/Spikey Tee
43.On The Rise Timmi Schumacher Remix
44.Live the life - Sindecut
45.Crack Business - Sindecut
46.Life Is Strange - Rido/Spikey Tee
47.Whip Them Soundboy - Marcus Visionary/Spikey Tee
48.Love Love - O.G/Spikey Tee
For DJ Bookings email Sarah at [email protected]
MySpace profile was edited with Tower Codes
