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Born to Caribbean & African parents, Stamina Li grew up in Martinique, West Indies listening to the local cultural music of Gwo-Ka, Bel-Air & Compas Music (Haiti). From an early age he was also influenced by the music of Bob Marley & the Wailers, Jimmy Cliff, Burning Spear & Alpha Blondy.Stamina Li learnt the elements of music from his father, and learnt to play his first instruments - the trumpet & saxophone very young. He was then listening to blues & jazz and the music of Malavoi, Eugene Mona & Charlie Parker.Stamina Li took up vocal expression when he was about 16 years old and was inspired by local deejay's like MC Janik, Daddy Yod and others such as Sluggy Ranks, Buju Banton & Terry Ganzie and around 1993 started to deejay in La T.D.A. (St Joseph, Martinique) with Doc Savage, Stamina Junior, Elliott Ness and Daddy Fusby.In 1994 first recorded with JM Harmony under the name Prince Master C - 'Little Sista' featuring Stamina Junior which was released on an album called Ragga Party. Also took up TV promotion - Raggazin' and spent time deejaying at local clubs & festivals.
Stamina Li then left Martinique for Montpellier in France and created the sound - Wass'Muffin (originally called Ras'Muffin Soldiers) - with a friend from Martinique - Rapper Tonical Warny. They were later joined by Dicka, Mystical 'Yello' Ruben, Katan, Peewee & Major B. Stamina Li found he was in the frontline as official MC, deejay and organist. Stamina Li also worked with Mellow Sound - one of the first reggae sounds in France - selecting and playing all over the South of France. Other than being in the sound, Stamina Li worked with bands like Artikal Band (Rod Taylor), KG Sound, Rude Boy Syndicate and Aksyon K. He was the opening act for Buju Banton's first international tour in 1997 and for Anthony B in 1999. Also working as a supporting act for Metal Sound, Culture and the Wailers.During 1997 Stamina Li & his Wass'Muffin crew radio broadcast in Montpellier creating concrete movement in the town & surrounding areas, generating a new breed of deejay/artist. They went onto create an association called 'Doubout' to promote and organize cultural events with the purpose of keeping alive the brotherhood of the Caribbean youth in the area. During this time Stamina Li collaborated with people from France & Martinique working with Exodus Sound, Youth & Kulcha, Natural Sound, Binghiman Sound System, Watta Sound, Imperial Massive Sound, and Tjo Kilti. Recorded with Ras Tea (Paris) 'Apres Yan de Lanne' & 'Crack, Cocaine'. Also with Tyrone Downie from the Wailers - 'Quand Les Poules Auront des Dents' - unfortunately these tunes were never released.2000 found Stamina Li in London where he quickly started to test his English on the mic in various dances as the 'Youth from Madinina' finding work with Frontline International, JNR International and Temple Eye. During 2002 Stamina Li went back to Martinique and worked as a guest with Sael & friends in his own parish of St Joseph, with Prophesy Sound opening the big live Dancehall Night in St Pierre on 11th July in remembrance of the victims of Mount Pele's eruption (1902).Back in London after a blessed time a yard, started a project called Togeda ina Di Gideon - unifying Wass'Muffin Sound with Cultural Vibes - a French radio station, with the purpose of promoting upcoming artists and worldwide reggae music. Playing the sound of Wass'Muffin in various venues and also as a special guest of the Icon Father Trevor Frontline's birthday at the Imperial Gardens in Camberwell alongside Jah Marcus, Black Roots and Supertone Roadshow.In 2002 then met up with the Roots Studio crew and became an active member helping with promotion and playing at venues in Shoreditch - Strongroom & Troy Bar.Being an accomplished saxophone player - Stamina Li has gone onto release four tunes on the Outernational Attack/Piano B album (www.piano-b.com) featuring Kaya & Sareal produced by Daniele Carmosino, also working on another tune called 'Un Tour de Monde' - featuring Love & Salt, which is not reggae but has an African flavour - Fela & Issac Hayes vibe - produced by Justin Morey and Jessica Lauren for Damara Records.Stamina Li considers music as a medicine for his people in need of healing.
