Best known for songs like ‘Can’t Cross The Border’ and ‘Over Me’ (which he did as Thriller), he has promoted vintage dancehall shows in Toronto for 20 years.

On the weekend of November 7-9, his Thriller Music company in collaboration with Kings of Kings Productions stages three shows in Toronto and Montreal.

Each showcases artistes with strong dancehall credentials from different eras. They include Errol Dunkley, Professor Nuts, Icho Candy, Shalom, Iley Dread and Thriller U.

The Montreal gig will be his first in that city. Based on his research, and having performed there, he is confident fans in the French-speaking area love rub-a-dub reggae as much as their Toronto counterparts.

“‘Cause dis is di real ting, dis where dancehall come from. Is not like now when a man jus’ jump on a riddim an’ record. In our days, wi go to di studio an’ wait until di musicians work out di song,” he explained.

Original Thriller made his show promotion debut in 2005 with a dance in Toronto featuring General Trees and Peter Metro at the Upsetter Lounge. The reception was so positive, he followed-up with shows with similar formats, featuring acts like Josey Wales, Phillip Fraser and Pinchers, all of whom cut their teeth on sound systems.

These shows, Original Thriller points out, are educational as much as they are entertaining.

“It remind people of di days of Horace Andy, Dennis Brown an’ John Holt. Dem (fans) get an’ understanding ’bout tings like melody,” he said.

Original Thriller was born Devon Chambers in Kingston. He was raised in Trench Town, one of the meccas of roots-reggae.

Strongly influenced by Dennis Brown and Horace Andy, his recording career started with producer Joe Gibbs in the late 1970s. His first song, ‘Mountain Top’, was done for Gibbs who was riding high at the time with a stable of acts that included Brown, Culture and George Nooks.

In the early 1980s, he recorded well-received songs like ‘Over Me’ and ‘Love Line’ for George Phang, ‘Can’t Cross The Border’ for Joseph Hoo Kim at Channel One and ‘Tickle Me’, produced by Sly and Robbie.

Original Thriller is also a producer who has recorded songs by Mykal Rose, The Mighty Diamonds, Luciano, Capleton and Sizzla.

(Photo contributed)