Garrison Hawk was born and raised in Mandeville, Jamaica. Part of a large family, growing up amongst six brothers and sisters did have its advantages – namely one of a built in audience; for as soon as he could use the system at home, Hawk got a hold of a microphone and some records and proceeded to teach himself the art of deejaying. Influenced by the great voices of Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Shabba Ranks, and Yellowman, at 8 years old, this boy was on a mission.
In his teens, Hawk and his family moved to New York City's The Bronx. His uncle had a sound system in his basement where Hawk would disappear for hours on end. He started voicing on any riddims he and his friends could get ahold of. As word of Hawk's deejay skills got around the neighborhood, he started getting booked to perform at sound systems and shows. One thing led to another and Hawk, by the time he was 17, was touring around the East Coast of the US with some major reggae stars. Things were really starting to take off.
All the while, Hawk's family had no idea what was going on. They traditional beliefs led them to assume that their little boy was going to school and on a path to a degree and a 9 to 5 job. A funny moment (probably not so funny for Hawk at the time) came when Hawk was performing with Shabba Ranks and Supercat in Connecticut where one of Hawk's uncles happened to be in the crowd. Exposed, Hawk's Ma and Grandma laid down the law. But even Ma and Grandma's lockdown couldn't keep the bloodthirsty managers and producers away– each wanting to cash in on “that voice.” After several unwise career decisions and misadventures, Hawk wised up and handled his own affairs.
He set up Marathon Productions to represent a carefully selected group of upcoming talented artists for whom Hawk also wrote and produced songs, as well as releasing his own singles under the name “Hawkman”. “Death Before Dishonor,” “Party With Me,” “Three the Yard Way,” and “Fist Full of Franklins” received heavy play on New York's notorious radio station Hot 97 while the tracks “Fakin' It'” and “Addicted” reached 1 spots in the European charts garnering the attention of world renowned DJs and producers, Roger Sanchez and Armand Van Helden, and resulting in a collaboration on their AV8 club records series in 1999.
Hawk consistently released records once or twice a year until his breakthrough onto the world scene with the alternative British artist Tricky, formerly of the legendary group Massive Attack. Hawk and Tricky met up through Hawk's cousin who happened to be Tricky's best friend. Musically, they instantly connected: “Hawkman is my partner musically. It is almost like my career has changed” – Tricky speaking in Billboard Magazine 2001. Hawk co-wrote and laid down guest vocals on six tracks on Tricky's “Blowback” album including the single “Evolution Revolution Love” where he was also featured in the video. Hawk toured with Tricky in support of the record all over the world for two years, and as a member of Tricky's band, performed in front of audiences of thousands of fans as well as on worldwide television and radio shows.
Aside from coming home from the road more seasoned and wordly, Hawk came home with record company offers on the table. As had happened before, Hawk fell victim to the circumstances of the business and signed and eventurally got himself released from several record deals including Chris Blackwell's Palm label. The music business simply didn't work fast enough for Hawk. Determined and more prolific than ever, Hawk compiled an arsenal of over 100 original songs, demos, and collaborations.
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