Shinehead

The fact that Shinehead split his time growing up between Jamaica and America was reflected in his recordings; the Kent, England-born vocalist (born Edmund Carl Aiken) released several albums between the late ’80s and early ’90s that blended dancehall and ragga with hip-hop. Whether Shinehead was toasting or crooning or flat-out rapping, he always balanced his material between the positive and socially conscious with more lighthearted sentiments. He got involved with music by performing at New York sound systems in the early ’80s and began releasing singles as early as 1984, including a cover of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean,” which truly got his career rolling. His recording schedule slowed down during the latter half of the ’90s, but he returned in 1999 with Praises, an album that consisted mostly of covers. ~ Andy Kellman