Big Youth

Jamaica, 1972–now

Jamaican deejay, born Manley Augustus Buchanan in 1949. Screaming Target (1973) turned toasting away from U-Roy's exuberance toward a hoarse, chanted Rastafarian address — the deejay as preacher rather than host.

MusicRoots documents 3 artists who influenced Big Youth and 2 artists Big Youth influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Who influenced Big Youth?

• U-Roy — Big Youth started performing directly behind U-Roy's run, and then took the voice somewhere else — hoarse and preaching where U-Roy was exuberant.
• Dennis Alcapone — One of the three deejays whose trail Big Youth followed onto the microphone.
• I-Roy — One of the three deejays whose trail Big Youth followed onto the microphone.

Which artists did Big Youth influence?

• Yellowman — One of the deejays Winston Foster loved early, growing up in a Kingston institution with music for company.
• The Slits — Named by Ari Up among the deejays she listened to — the chanted delivery behind her own way of riding a bassline.