Craig Dennis has smoothness which can be compared to a Sanchez, the voice and sound of a Mickey Spice and a Benjy Myers, song writing skills of a lyrical mastermind, with talent to boot. He has taken one step closer to fulfilling his destiny, as he has joined forces with the Big Ship family which is owned and controlled by veteran Reggae crooner, Freddie McGregor.
Craig Dennis is a product of Chisholm Avenue, Kingston 13. At the age of 13, he began to listen closely to foundation artistes such as Culture. “I started singing at school. I’d be in the classroom with my friends singing and beating the desks. And when you have a big singer like Ken Boothe coming out of the Kingston 13 area, you feel real motivated to sing,” said Dennis jovially.
Dennis changed his address for nine years when he relocated to Negril. And after living in the popular tourist destination for a month, Dennis had a fortunate encounter with an entrepreneur in the area. Norman Walters, the proprietor of the “Cotton Tree Villas”, but more importantly, of an entertainment complex known as “The Kaiser Café”. This is where he finally got a taste of live performances that has now left him wanting more. After a few years of living in Negril, Craig Dennis returned to Kingston to start his musical journey.
He acquired a musical father, Naggo Morris, who he also regards as his “adopted dad”. Morris was a member of the Heptunes that included Leroy Sibbles, and so with his musical history, has been instrumental in Dennis’ development. Dennis also received first hand lessons from song writer, Limey Murray, who essentially passed on the art to him. “Limey Murray taught me how to structure a song; why the chorus must sound different from the verse, where and how to drop in a bridge,” commented a reflective Dennis. “I’m really grateful to him for his valuable lessons.”
Craig Dennis has now found a home in the Big Ship Camp, where he learns and works alongside talents in the McGregor family, Freddie, Chino (singer) and Stephen (producer). He has had the opportunity to record with various artistes (Delly Ranks, Atomic). He is impressively versatile as the issues he addresses ranges from love, Jah’s greatness as well as the struggle of a gangster. “I also did a cover of a song called, “Be Thankful”, on the “Natty Dread” riddim, which I recorded with Yashimabeth McGregor. It is a song based on the fact that as an individual you may not have everything at the end of the day, but you can still be thankful,” he said.
He has also done a cover of Akon’s “Locked Up”, recorded on the “Babylon Storybook” riddim. He has several original songs such as “Forgive Me” recorded on the “Cool and Deadly” riddim, “All Day” on the “Ghetto Whiskey” riddim and “Come Back Home” on the “1, 2” riddim. His latest release however is called “Dem Bwoy Yah” produced by Stephen McGregor, on the “Breaking News” riddim, which is a heartfelt appeal to inner-city youths to respect their elders.
Always the optimist, Craig Dennis comments that “I am really thankful for all that I have been able to do so far in my career and I know I have further to go; I have much more to do and much more to accomplish.” With faith and positivity like that, he just may make his dream a reality and be among the greats someday.
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