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Collie Buddz,
from the isle of Bermuda, has
done something not impossible
but something once seemingly
very implausible. He’s become
the most buzz-worthy current
Reggae artist over the past few
years. In the summer, 2007,
Collie Buddz’ Columbia Records
self-titled debut album stormed
the charts entering the
Billboard Reggae Chart at first
position. The Reggae singjay
became an international star
when this album went to
the
top of every chart from Japan to
Germany. With much of the
production coming from Collie
himself, he delivered a solid
debut with contributions from Supa Dups, Shea Taylor, Bang
Out, Screwface, Bobby Konders
and Crown N Kah-So-Real to name
just a few. Released just a day
before US Independence Day,
Collie’s debut album could be
heard blasting out of car
windows from Brooklyn to
Kingston all summer long.
Critically speaking, Collie’s
debut was a monster. Speaking of
his first single, an undeniable
summer anthem titled, “Come
Around,” Source Magazine
proclaimed, “This 24 year old
shotta has got an anthem
spreading across the seas.” “The
song is a monster,” claimed
Miami New Times. And, Hip Hop
Weekly said, “Collie Buddz is
one of the most firmly grounded
voices you may ever encounter.”
The industry excitement about
this new voice in music
manifested in many ways namely
by inspiring Collie’s musical
peers to either create their own
remixes of “Come Around,” or
join Collie on the official
remix of the single. Everyone
from Busta Rhymes, Cypress Hill
and Paul Wall to G-Unit and
Shaggy contributed to the
anthem.
Incorporating influences from
Hip-Hop to Soca, Collie’s music
nevertheless has a rock-solid
foundation in Reggae - and its
power to connect ghetto reality
with the highest heights of
human aspiration - that is a
rarity even in Jamaica. But, to
say he’s connected to the
Caribbean community would be an
understatement. Collie Buddz,
born Colin Harper, has become
the Caribbean culture’s resident
ambassador.
Touring extensively, Collie’s
passport stamps are a relative
reflection of the worldwide love
for Reggae and Caribbean
culture. From Madison Square
Garden to Dubai, Collie Buddz is
the definition of an
international recording artist.
“It was crazy performing in the
Middle East. Who would have
guessed how big reggae music is
there? They knew all my songs,”
a jubilant Collie Buddz
explains. He has toured
throughout Germany, France,
England, Japan, North and South
America and the Caribbean. His
unique blend of Hip-Hop, Soca
and Dancehall underlined with
his ever-present passion for the
modern Roots Reggae sound has
attracted tastemaker supporters
all over the world. Reggae
pioneer David Rodigan [London]
and New York Reggae stalwarts at
legendary radio station, Hot 97,
Massive B and Short-Man [Heavy
Hitters] are just some of his
most ardent supporters. Now on
the verge of Collie’s sophomore
album release, the anticipation
is palpable.
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In spite of
averaging an eleven month yearly
touring schedule since 2007,
Collie Buddz is prepared to
release a sophomore album that
promises an even greater insight
into the multi-talented,
producer/singer-songwriter/performer.
He’s also made time to work with
some of the most respected
producers and artists in the
industry while also making
beautiful music with the
production team that made his
debut album an overnight
success. “We don’t have a title
for the new album just yet but
whatever we call it, the album
will be mad,” Collie excitedly
explains. With production by
Supa Dups, Massive B and Seanie
B among other contributors,
Collie’s fans can anticipate
Collie’s unique twist on popular
music. Tony Kelly [K-Licious],
producer of more crossover hits
than any other producer in the
genre [Sean Paul, Patra,
Supercat, Wayne Wonder, Shaggy]
and TJ Records [Beenie Man]
return with production for this
album as well. Among friends,
Collie is known as a “studio
rat,” as given any sort of free
time in the schedule, Collie is
hunkered down behind the boards
of a recording studio. So it
comes to no surprise to anyone
that Collie is also ready to
release a brand new mixtape.
“I was just in Los Angeles
finishing a song with Sugar Ray,
and I love the vibe on that
track,” says Collie of the new
mixtape. Also with verses on hit
songs by Beyonce, Rihanna and
Kid Cudi, the mixtape is sure to
give Collie’s fans an appetizer
to the entrée of the sophomore
album. “I always want to give
all the sound-systems and DJs
something to rock the clubs with
while I work on releasing my new
material,” Collie says. It is
this love for constantly
creating that drives Collie
Buddz.
Wanting to release music more
frequently and with fewer
restrictions, Collie’s
affiliation with Columbia
Records/Sony Music
Entertainment, Inc ended in
2008. He has since founded his
own independent record label,
Harper Digital alongside his
brother [Smokey] and DJ [DJ
Genie] while working with his
longtime management group,
Mojiza Management. The Harper
Digital team is already grooming
the label into a full production
house and artist development
business. Humble as always,
Collie simply says, “I’m just
excited to be putting out
another album. I love to make
music and the satisfaction is in
having other people from all
over the world enjoy it. I live
out of a suitcase and I wouldn’t
have it any other way.” And
Collie means just what he says.
With a nonstop touring schedule
with his band, New Kingston, and his longtime compatriot
and hype man, Pee Wee, Collie
just has one quick stop before
hitting the road yet again. He’s
got to stop by the embassy and
pick up more page inserts for
his passport.
Listen to the music of
Collie Buddz
Collie Buddz Links:
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