Born Dwight Duncan, in the lush picturesque hilltop village of Spring Garden, St. Thomas, Jamaica. He was raised as a Rasta since the tender age of two. Dwight attended the Lysson All Age School, where his music teacher noticed his potential for music and nurtured him in his developing stages. Dwight then went on to Yallas High School, where he continued to shine musically as a member of the school choir, a member of the Yallas drum core, playing the bass organ and also participating in numerous school concerts. He was also a member of the New Testament Church of God Choir, where he earned the name Ark Angel.
During his teenage years, he became the selector for Black Star Line sound-system, then known as Junior Melody. He took part in several singing competitions and talent searches in and around St. Thomas. Gaining a strong local fan base, Junior Melody began to sing dub plates for local sound-systems such as Lees Unlimited, Mello Construction, King Majesty and others. The rave reviews from the sound selectors and the people of his community encouraged Junior Melody to take his talent to the next level, the studios of Kingston Jamaica, the place to be if he wanted to make a name for himself in the reggae business. These were hard times for Junior Melody. Traveling to Kingston was a seventy mile return journey. Being poor he would have to hitchhike most of the time, sharing one bulla and a bag juice with any one of his friends that dared to make the journey with him. Bushman later recorded a song relating to this period in his life, titled “Life Ain’t No Bed of Roses.”
The hard times did not deter him from seeking his dream. After many months of traveling to Kingston and waiting around at the studios, it was during an impromptu football game at Arrows Dub plate studio where Junior Melody met Steely and Clevie. Steely commented that Junior Melody was not too good at football, Junior Melody’s response was “I can sing though.” In hearing that, Steely prompted him to sing something. Right there in the yard Junior Melody sang. Steely immediately invited him to audition at Studio 2000. Their first song together was “Grow Your Natty,” an outstanding debut, swiftly followed by the hit “Call The Hearse.”
With talks of an album Steely wished to change the name Junior Melody to Bushman. Initially the singer/song writer was not happy with this name at all. He thought it was somehow derogatory to him coming from the country, until he researched the name only to discover that Bushman was an African name for Medicine Man. Bushman became the musical Medicine Man. Bushman has been fulfilling the meaning of this name to date. “Call The Hearse” became a big hit in Jamaica and England, after which followed some live concert dates. Bushman received a rapturous welcome on a short US tour followed by more live shows in Jamaica. Bushman saw the release of his first album Nyah Man Chant (Greensleeves) during the year 1997. Nyah Man Chant earned a five star rating all over the world, with comments such as “A set of tunes that are both inspired and inspiring.” I stopped listening to individual tracks about halfway through the CD as I realized that Nyah Man Chant is good till the very last drop. Burnin Up; The Journal 5/7/97 adding five stars. Nyah Man Chant has now earned its self-a place in the realms of Greensleeves Reggae Classics.
Bushman’s newly enriched creativity made him a much sought after artist both at home and abroad. However, it was the famous King Jammy (Lloyd James) who produced the next two albums by Bushman. The first being Total Commitment (Greensleeves). A combination of Bushman’s year off and the mutual respect between artist and producer, the results brought forth a more mature and focused second album. Total Commitment took on the reggae music business like a stormy inferno. With tracks such as “Fire Bun a Weak Heart” (a big hit!), “Babylon Dead”, “Live Your Life Right,” and many others. Just seven weeks after its released Total Commitment was #7 in the US album charts and was also gaining #1 in Finland. 2001 saw the release of Bushman’s third album Higher Ground (Greensleeves), a charming piece of work from Jamaica’s finest, producer, singer/songwriter and instrumentals. With tracks such as “Yadd Away Home,” Bushman gives you his finest, smoothest baritone voice, alongside the well renowned saxophone player Dean Frazser. “Your Love,” is a song inspired from his personal life and a big favorite with his fans across the globe. This album consists of hit after hit bringing you songs titled “Fire Pon A Deadas,” “Love of The Heart,” and “Make A Change.”
Songs with lyrics to provoke critical thinking about politics, diet, life-style and the current state of the world. Bushman pleases his fans again with A Better Place, a fourth contribution from Bushman. For this album Bushman teamed up with English based Stingray. It took Bushman 2 weeks to write every song on this 15 track album, which was released at SOBs New York in October 2001. This album hosts a liveication to Bushman’s mother track 14, “Mama.” “Fill My Cup” is a testament to the life and achievements of Bushman. Again the outstanding lyrics of each track will carry you to higher levels of enlightenment, leaving you feeling strong and ready to bring positive visions into reality. Aside from these four great albums Bushman has a selection of singles such as “Life Ain’t No Bed of Roses,” “Jerusalem School Room,” “Extortions,” “Sunshine,” “Where are Your Clothes,” “Afrikan Women,” and many others including a combination medley with Morgan Heritage, “Truly Great,” another great hit around the world.
Bushman has recently enjoyed his first major tour of the US, with the Kings of Kings Family. Bushman was the headliner for the tour and did an awesome job of closing every show. Bushman is delighted with the responses he received in the US for hosting sellout shows in cities such as San Francisco, Durango, Seattle, and New York as well as cities in Canada. Every venue where Bushman preformed promoters have renewed their contracts for further shows. This tour was followed with a dynamic sellout second tour of Europe, where Bushman preformed for the first time in countries such as Germany and France. All shows were a complete sellout, making Europe Bushman’s largest fan base to date. He returned to Europe in June/July 2002 for their big festivals. Bushman has also performed in most if not all of the Caribbean Islands. He also gave an outstanding performance at the Nevada World Music Festival, June 2001, and he stormed the crowd for the first time at Bob Marley Day 2002.
Despite the ever-increasing recognition of his talent, Bushman remains a humble down-to-earth figure, who still lives in St.Thomas with his wife and children. Enjoyin the frequent trips to the lush bath fountain where they bathe in hot mineral water. Living a lifestyle of strictly ital foods and juices. Yes, Bushman leads a humble but enlightened life in his birthplace parish of St. Thomas. Bushman, with his natural talent for singing, is an outstanding artist carved from the same critical musical tradition as Bob Marley, Dennis Brown and Luciano (with whom he has a very close relationship), who he quotes as being his most dominant influences. With his dynamic lyrics, superb showmanship and classic performances, the Rastafarian known as Bushman is an artist with which to hold a joy with, and a force to be reckoned with. Bushman’s latest album, Get It in Your Mind is an independent release on the Burning Bushes label.
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VIDEO
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