For those in the know Clapper Priest has been on the Jamaican sound system circuit since the late 1970’s.

Growing up in Dalston

Clapper Priest grew up in a household with young Jamaican parents in Dalston, as a result was introduced at a young age to the spirit of Jamaica with regular house parties and blues dances.

Starting on a SoundSystem

Started to obsessively collect rare and soul, funk and reggae records, early disco 45’s, CDs from an early age until in 1981 at the age of 20, he launched himself as a energetic, illuminating MC on the London sound system reggae scene. His reputation began to rise and in 1985 started to associate himself with the Paddington Terror Sound System working with the likes of Sweetie Irie and Joe 90.

The 80’s

By the mid to late 80s, Clapper’s career was moving skyward, becoming the MC and percussionist for Dalston-based reggae band One Style MDV, performing many shows around the UK and becoming active in the Rock Against Racism campaign. During this time they supported many huge reggae acts including Burning Spear, Gregory Isaac and Winston Reedy, to name a few and in 1988 toured with Joe Strummer for his Rock Against the Rich Tour. During this time Clapper Priest recorded his début single Rasta Far Out produced by Horace Truebridge, a futuristic journey looking back at things from a Rasta perspective.

In late 80s, Clapper Priest left the band to pursue a solo career which culminated in a number of musical projects in collaboration with the first black reggae pirate radio station in London, Ladbroke Grove-based DBC (Dread Broadcasting Corporation). Here he worked closely with the massively renowned DJ Lepke and Ranking Miss P, releasing the single Who Am I.

The 90’s

At the same Clapper Priest began working with Hackney Youth in Progress, the organisation born out of the police clamp down following the riots in the early to mid 80’s. He began touring the festival circuit in Europe promoting Afro-Caribbean art and music with their fundraising wing Big, Broad and Massive. Split my time between Camden Market working with Big Broad and Massive Dread radio station first pirate radio station in UK Broadcasting Corporation BBC in Portobello Road. Working closely with Lepke who is Rita Marleys younger brother.

The Noughties

A lot of time was spent at Passing Clouds performing and enjoying the scene. Working with Reggae Roast and Solution Sounds. Over the next few years Clapper Priest travelled to Berlin regularly to perform and explore the lively art scene. With performances around Europe including Portugal, Spain, Italy and Greece. Performing at Frequency festival in Portugal, Outlook in Croatia with Reggae Roast. Another regular at the Bruton Dub Club bringing Reggae to Somerset, which ran for around three years… Around 2015 Clappers started to develop his artwork. Creating one off screen print designs for patches and T-Shirts.

Twenty-Twenties

2020 is looking good for Clapper Priest. Continuing to perform at events throughout the year and expanding the MCCP brand.