Mr. Peppa

Peppa WaltersCreate Your Badge



Mr. Peppa poised for stardom

.Dat's betta!



“To accomplish great things we must not only act but also dream, not only plan but also believe”- Anatole



On February 29, 1980 in Kingston Jamaica, Arael Jahzeal Walters, aka Mr. Peppa was born. The ninth of eleven children, Mr. Peppa grew up in Bedward Pastures, Papine under the love, guidance and positive nurturing of his father Dennis Walters and his mother Alice Johnson.



Although he had a strong love and passion for music, particularly dejaying, education was foremost on his mind as his aspirations were either to join the army to study civil aviation or to enter into the real estate business. His honing at Hope Valley Experimental Primary and Excelsior High School only served to cement his foundation in both career paths.



While in High School, his passion for music intensified and he began to focus more on his dejaying, additional confirmation came in the form of encouragement from friends who drummed up beats on blackboards and desks in the classroom, as Peppa rode the rhythm. Spurred on by his mother, a natural singer, and oldest brother Steelie from Steelie & Cleevie, Peppa was further compelled to pursue a career as an entertainer; and from henceforth music became his only desire.



Peppa started recording professionally in 1995 while still in school. Ambition drives the soul and the aspiring DJ, embarked on his first induction into the realities of Reggae music, persistent and undeterred Mr. Peppa would walk from stage show to stage show, performing whenever he could and sleeping at various studios, adamant that he would be given the opportunity to be voiced and taken seriously as an artist. A year later Mr. Peppa recorded his first single entitled “Mi Sharp” on the Trevor Gordon label, produced by Trevor Gordon himself. Although not earning much airplay, the taste of what could be was overwhelming. Determined to play his part in the music business, Peppa fuelled his passion in the studio and continued to dedicate his time to his art-form.



In 2000 the youngster recorded “Don Cinderella” for Steelie & Cleevie on the Bitter Blood rhythm, which created a buzz. Mark Pinnock of Natural Bridge Records was so impressed by Peppa’s vocal delivery and unique style that he instantaneously signed the young artist to his record label. Natural Bridge Records, formed in 1994, is renowned for discovering and shaping a plethora of successful artists in the music business. The label incorporated the professionalism and business credibility needed to further solidify Mr. Peppa’s career in the industry; the match was flawless and work begun immediately.

Peppa later recorded on the Bad Weather rhythm for Steelie & Cleevie, and “Peppa Dis Peppa Dat” on Natural Bridge’s Resilience rhythm.



The year 2001 was a bright one for the DJ, it was in this time that he recorded the ladies anthem, “Good, Good Gone”, which led him to perform on numerous events such as Fully Loaded, G.T. Christmas Extravaganza, and Bling Dawg Summer Jam as well as a host of top Jamaican nightspots including the world renowned, Asylum and Amnesia.



By 2002, the DJ’s foundations were firmly set and his presence in the business secured his elevation as a budding DJ with high prospects. The studio saw him more often than not; and it was at this time that he recorded his signature tunes, “Baby Dem” on the Beach riddim, “You So Proud” for producer Preston on his Intime label and “All You Need To Know”, which featured Christopher for BYG Family Musik. Peppa later voiced “Gal Journey” and “Guy Ting”’ on the Natural Bridge label.



In 2006 Mr. Peppa landed his first international break when he voiced three drops for DJ Jazzy Joyce, a leading disc jockey on New York's Hot 97 FM, one of the city's leading Hip Hop stations. "It was motivating for me to know that somebody of that caliber acknowledged an upcoming talent," Mr. Peppa remarked in a recent interview. "I will use it as inspiration to continue to move forward."

Soon after, Mr. Peppa and long time friend DJ Smurf of Hot 102 teamed up, produced, and released the 80-track mix CD, “DJ Smurf Introducing Mr. Peppa”. The mix CD, which featured 12 hot tracks from Mr. Peppa on 10 of the hottest Dancehall rhythms, all recorded as dub-plates for 10-year mix-master veteran DJ Smurf, was a hot item. The mix CD, which also featured some of Jamaica’s top entertainers, has been distributed across the globe and kicking up a storm in Japan, England, Europe and the USA.



Mr. Peppa has collaborated with some of the most talented artists currently on the Dancehall scene to include, Wayne Marshall, ‘Life Of A Superstar’, Ward 21, ‘Sound It’ and Tony Matterhorn, ‘One a Way’ and has worked with a plethora of producers over the past few years to include, Akiliboy of BYG Family, Shams, Red Rat, DIA, Birch, Hawkeye, DJ Karim.



The newest hit single “Gangsta Guerilla” on the Gully Slime riddim, the latest in a line of successful Natural Bridge project’s, has erupted on the music circuit with intense demand, causing mass euphoria among selectors and avid Reggae connoisseurs alike both nationally and internationally. Other songs on the riddim include Matterhorn's “Goodas Fi Dem”, WARD 21’s “Garrison”, a combination between Mr. Lex and Vegas “Soft Inna Bed”, and Ding Dong “Sashi Cool”. The video directed by Maci-Don, “depicts the survival mode that everyone in this society, whether rich or poor, can relate to, the struggle to survive and function in a very competitive society, so this song addresses some critical social issues. The concept for it was Mark's (Pinnock) idea, and I added in some parts” said Mr. Peppa.



“Talk” and “Gangsta Guerilla” are both highly considered club anthems, it’s heavy radio rotation and most requested video play across the globe, has been stamped with Dancehall music’s seal of approval, ensuring that Mr. Peppa will not only be a household name but also a legend in Dancehall’s musical fraternity.

The versatile Mr. Peppa pens lyrics for all genres of everyday life – street politics, ladies anthems and social commentary. Under the management of Mark Pinnock and Natural Bridge Records and the support of BYG Family Musik and Kingston 6 Rekords, Mr. Peppa is fast becoming the driving force among Dancehall artists currently on the scene and will be for sometime to come

Revised by Aicha Jacas of Unrivalled Media (2006)



MyGen

Profile Generator