Louie Culture

b. c. 1960, Portland, Jamaica, West Indies. Culture began his career in the dancehall while still at school. His ability led his teachers to advise him that he should pursue his studies in higher education on completing his schooling. His love of music and the dancehall led him to pursue a career in the Jamaican recording industry. He was influenced by the DJs of the early 80s including Nicodemus and Bobby Culture it was the latter who inspired Louie’s Culture appellation. His initial studio experience was with King Tubby who released a combination tune with Wayne Ranks, ‘Rat A Bodda We’. The song led to a series of lesser known hits in combination with Ranks. In the late 80s Ranks migrated to the USA and settled in New York. Culture remained in Jamaica but his notoriety as part of a duo resulted in local producers being reluctant to record him as a soloist. Disillusioned with the unfavourable attitude of the Jamaican producers Culture decided to check out the industry in London, England, where he remained for a number of years. He was later inspired to try out the New York reggae scene before returning to Jamaica in the mid-90s. It was his session with Dave ‘Rude Boy’ Kelly that proved most successful, notable hits including ‘Old Before Your Time’, ‘Malfunction’, ‘The Revolution Song’ and, in combination with Wayne Wonder, ‘Excellence’. He also released ‘In This Together’ with Luciano and Terror Fabulous. Culture recorded with Colin Fat, Bobby Digital and John John (son of King Jammy). Culture’s crowning glory was ‘Ganga Lee’, produced by John John, a track that has become his anthem (‘No man can decide my destiny - only I can decide my own for me - cos I’m a ol’ ganga lee - well I was born to be free - me a ol’ ganga lee’ relished comparable accolades). The rhythm provided Bounty Killer with his classic hit ‘Down In The Ghetto’. Culture also recorded a number of dub plates with Rory and Wee Pow of the Stone Love crew who regrettably were unable to capitalise on its success. Following his association with Stone Love Culture formed an allegiance with Philip ‘Fatis’ Burrell and the Exterminator crew. A series of hit singles followed including, ‘After So Many Years’, ‘Original Days’ and ‘How Long’. These tracks were featured alongside two combination tunes with Sizzla and the sublime ‘I’m Fighting’ on Culture’s debut, Better Tomorrow.