Shorty

b. Derek Thompson, 5 January 1949, Trelawny, Jamaica, West Indies. Shorty first achieved notoriety with his DJ version of Slim Smith’s ‘My Conversation’, produced by Bunny Lee and licensed to Rupie Edwards. The 1972 single, ‘President Mash Up The Resident’, proved a dancehall smash that featured on the original one rhythm Yamaha Skank compilation. He followed the song with ‘Abusing And Assaulting’, ‘Beast From The East’, ‘Musical Goat’, ‘Halfway Tree Rock’ and ‘Sprinkle Some Water’, although he was not able to emulate the success of his earlier hit. By 1977 he was working with Keith Hudson performing as President Shorty. He achieved another chart hit with the classic ‘Barbican Heights’. The song was an account of life in the Kingston suburb, ‘Where the grass is fresh and green’ and you can ‘Sit and watch the pollution - in the city’. Although he was not able to follow in the footsteps of the other DJs, who were being snapped up by the major record companies, he carved a niche in the African market alongside U-Roy. He enjoyed some success with the Bunny Lee-produced, High Ranking, which proved particularly popular in Nigeria. The album featured a heavy dub backing with Shorty as ‘The President’, with vocals bearing an uncanny resemblance to the popular DJ Trinity, riding versions of Bob Marley’s ‘Sun Is Shining’ as ‘Rebel Skank’ and Culture’s ‘Zion Gate’ as ‘Rasta Father Live In A Zion’. Although not as well known as his colleagues from the early 70s Shorty is still well regarded, particularly for his success in Africa. (NB: Not to be confused with the Croatian hip-hop artist and US noise rock band of the same name.)