Lukie D

b. Michael Kennedy, 1972, Cockburn Pen, Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies. Kennedy began his career performing on various local sound systems, building a solid reputation as a dancehall singer. His influences included local heroes Frankie Paul, Tenor Saw and ragga DJ Supercat. His popularity led to recording sessions that produced his biggest hit, ‘Centre Of Attraction’, alongside combination hits with Lieutenant Stitchie (‘Don’t Deny Me’) and Beenie Man and Black Pearl (‘Bag It Up’). Lukie D joined the Firehouse Crew, noted for fostering the careers of Luciano and Sizzla. While with the Firehouse crew he released his debut, Centre Of Attraction, featuring combinations with Mikey Spice and DJ Determine. He also released a series of hits, including ‘I Won’t Let You Go’, ‘Lonely Nights’, ‘Let Me Love You Now’, ‘Heavy Load’ and ‘You’ve Got It Going’. His success allowed him to commute between Jamaica and the USA, where he became acquainted with more diverse musical influences, resulting in the broadening of his repertoire. In 1997 he released a 20-track compilation featuring, unconventionally, versions of AC/DC’s ‘You Shook Me’ and Queen’s ‘We Will Rock You’. His alternative approach garnered attention in the USA, but alienated the partisan dancehall crew. As well as his solo career, Lukie D also joined the vocal group L.U.S.T. They performed at MIDEM 1998 and later in New York at the third Culturama festival, to critical acclaim. In 1999, Lukie D left the group and was replaced by Ricardo Durante who had previously sung backing vocals for artists such as Shaggy and Patra.