General Levy
Encyclopedia
General Levy is a London
born ragga
vocalist
, regularly employed on studio
tracks by drum and bass
DJs
. He is best known for the track "Incredible" which he recorded
with M-Beat.
jungle
scene in 1994, due to comments he made relating to his collaboration with M-Beat on the seminal "Incredible". He had claimed in an interview with The Face
that "I run jungle
at the moment". Many argue that certain artists are lambasted while other artists are able to communicate their feelings without any backlash. "Incredible" was featured in the film Ali G Indahouse
.
General Levy introduced and popularized the slang word "booyaka" which has been attributed to "the closest sound to a gunshot
", but which Levy claims is a salutation in the jungle scene. Booyaka is the catch-phrase that the character Ali G adopts in the film "Ali G Indahouse". General Levy briefly collaborated with Rocco Barker of Flesh For Lulu
in 'The Space Police'. Levy also featured on the song
"Only God Can Judge Me" by R&B
singer, Mark Morrison
.
He collaborated with Madness
singer Suggs
on his 1998 album The Three Pyramids Club
, on the track 'Girl'.
Levy featured on many sound systems in the late 1980s and early 1990s such as Java and Tippatone Sound
.
† Credited to M-Beat featuring General Levy
‡ Credited to General Levy vs Zeus featuring Bally Jagpal
¶ Credited as Ragga Meridional Crew
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
born ragga
Ragga
-Origins:Ragga originated in Jamaica during the 1980s, at the same time that electronic dance music's popularity was increasing globally. One of the reasons for ragga's swift propagation is that it is generally easier and less expensive to produce than reggae performed on traditional musical...
vocalist
Singing
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, regularly employed on studio
Recording studio
A recording studio is a facility for sound recording and mixing. Ideally both the recording and monitoring spaces are specially designed by an acoustician to achieve optimum acoustic properties...
tracks by drum and bass
Drum and bass
Drum and bass is a type of electronic music which emerged in the late 1980s. The genre is characterized by fast breakbeats , with heavy bass and sub-bass lines...
DJs
Disc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
. He is best known for the track "Incredible" which he recorded
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
with M-Beat.
Biography
General Levy's first major releases were with the independent Fashion record label who eventually signed a distribution deal with London Records for the re-releases of the tracks he had recorded. He had earlier releases with the producers Lloydy Crucial and Robbo Ranx but these were mainly tracks that were hits on the underground dance scene. General Levy was ostracised by the UKUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
jungle
Oldschool jungle
Jungle is a genre of electronic music that incorporates influences from genres including breakbeat hardcore, and reggae/dub/dancehall. There is debate as to whether jungle is a separate genre from drum and bass as many use the terms interchangeably...
scene in 1994, due to comments he made relating to his collaboration with M-Beat on the seminal "Incredible". He had claimed in an interview with The Face
The Face (magazine)
The Face was a British music, fashion and culture monthly magazine started in May 1980 by Nick Logan.-1980s:Logan had previously created the teen pop magazine Smash Hits, and had been an editor at the New Musical Express in the 1970s before launching The Face in 1980.The magazine was influential in...
that "I run jungle
Oldschool jungle
Jungle is a genre of electronic music that incorporates influences from genres including breakbeat hardcore, and reggae/dub/dancehall. There is debate as to whether jungle is a separate genre from drum and bass as many use the terms interchangeably...
at the moment". Many argue that certain artists are lambasted while other artists are able to communicate their feelings without any backlash. "Incredible" was featured in the film Ali G Indahouse
Ali G Indahouse
Ali G Indahouse is a British comedy film directed by Mark Mylod and starring the fictional character Ali G, who is performed by British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen...
.
General Levy introduced and popularized the slang word "booyaka" which has been attributed to "the closest sound to a gunshot
Gunshot
A gunshot is the discharge of a firearm, producing a mechanical sound effect and a chemical gunshot residue. The term can also refer to a gunshot wound caused by such a discharge. Multiple discharges of a firearm or firearms are referred to as gunfire. The word can connotate either the sound of a...
", but which Levy claims is a salutation in the jungle scene. Booyaka is the catch-phrase that the character Ali G adopts in the film "Ali G Indahouse". General Levy briefly collaborated with Rocco Barker of Flesh For Lulu
Flesh for Lulu
Flesh for Lulu was an Alternative rock/Gothic band formed in Brixton, London, UK, and was active between 1982 and 1992. Their music was a mix of the New York Dolls and Rolling Stones with gothic rock's gloomy atmosphere and aesthetics.-History:...
in 'The Space Police'. Levy also featured on the song
Song
In music, a song is a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing.A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs...
"Only God Can Judge Me" by R&B
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
singer, Mark Morrison
Mark Morrison
Mark Morrison is a British R&B singer. He was the most successful UK R&B singer of the mid-90s and the first black male solo artist to reach number one in the 90s. His single "Return of the Mack" became a #1 or Top 10 hit in several European countries in 1996...
.
He collaborated with Madness
Madness (band)
In 1979, the band recorded the Lee Thompson composition "The Prince". The song, like the band's name, paid homage to their idol, Prince Buster. The song was released through 2 Tone Records, the label of The Specials founder Jerry Dammers. The song was a surprise hit, peaking in the UK music charts...
singer Suggs
Suggs (singer)
Graham McPherson , better known as Suggs, is an English singer, actor, former radio DJ, TV personality, and most famous as the frontman of the band Madness.-Early life:...
on his 1998 album The Three Pyramids Club
The Three Pyramids Club
The Three Pyramids Club is the second solo album by a British singer Suggs known from second wave ska band Madness. It was released in 1998 .-Track listing:All songs written by Steve Lironi and Graham McPherson unless noted....
, on the track 'Girl'.
Levy featured on many sound systems in the late 1980s and early 1990s such as Java and Tippatone Sound
Tippatone Sound
Tippatone Sound is a sound system from London, active in the 1980s. It was founded by Robbo Ranx, who was also the sound's selector and producer. The sound also recorded with General Levy....
.
Single discography
- "Monkey Man" (1993) - UKUK Singles ChartThe UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
#75 - "Incredible" (1994) - UK #39 †
- "Incredible" (1994) (remixRemixA remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
) - UK #8 † - "Shake (What Ya Mama Gave Ya)" (2004) - UK #51 ‡
- "Bring It On" (Dancehall Party Riddim) (2007) ¶
† Credited to M-Beat featuring General Levy
‡ Credited to General Levy vs Zeus featuring Bally Jagpal
¶ Credited as Ragga Meridional Crew